What is psychic? Pronunciation and usage in English

psychic means . Learn how to pronounce and use psychic through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of psychic

psychicadjective

/ˈsaɪkɪk//ˈsaɪkɪk/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "psychic." It's a bit tricky because it combines sounds that aren't always found together in English. Here's a breakdown:

Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • psy - like "see" (as in "see a ghost") - This part is fairly straightforward.
  • chick - Like the word "chicken" but with a shorter, sharper "ick" sound. It's not a drawn-out "ick" like in "sick." Think of a quick, clipped "ick."

So, putting it together: "Psy-chick"

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) - This is the most precise:

/saɪˈkɪk/

Let's break that down further:

  • /saɪ/ – This represents the “psy” sound. The “ai” combination makes a long “i” sound, similar to “sigh.”
  • /ˈkɪk/ – This represents the “chick” sound. The stress (ˈ) is on the second syllable.

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "ch": It’s a very quick, subtle “ch” sound. Many people over-pronounce it, making it sound like "psych-ick."
  • Short "i" in "chick": Again, avoid a long, drawn-out "ick" sound. It's a short, sharp "ick."
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some options:
    • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce psychic" on Google and play the audio.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/psychic/ – This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.

To summarize, it’s "Psy-chick" – a quick "see" sound followed by a short, sharp "ick" sound.

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Usage and examples with the word psychic in English

Let's break down how to use the word "psychic" in English. It's a word with a lot of baggage and often evokes strong opinions, so understanding its nuances is important.

1. Core Meaning: Someone Claiming Extra-Sensory Abilities

At its most basic, "psychic" refers to someone who claims to have abilities beyond the normal five senses. These abilities are often described as:

  • Telepathy: Reading minds.
  • Clairvoyance: “Seeing” things that aren’t physically present (receiving information about distant events or locations).
  • Precognition: Predicting the future.
  • Psychokinesis: Moving objects with the mind.
  • Channeling: Receiving messages from spirits or other entities.

2. How to Use "Psychic" in Sentences

Here are several ways to incorporate the word, with examples:

  • Describing a Person: "She’s a psychic who specializes in tarot readings." “He claimed to be a psychic and could tell my future.” “I met a psychic at the festival who said I’d receive some good news this week.”

  • Referring to Readings or Services: “I went to a psychic for advice on a difficult relationship.” “The psychic’s reading revealed a hidden obstacle.” “She offered psychic readings and spiritual consultations.”

  • Expressing Skepticism (often a more cautious use): “I’m skeptical of people who claim to be psychic, but I’m open to the possibility.” “The events were attributed to psychic phenomena, though most scientists dismissed them as coincidence.” "He described the image he 'received' - a psychic impression of the room."

  • In a More Figurative/Creative Sense (less common, but possible): "She had a psychic intuition about the situation." (Here, it’s used to describe a strong feeling or hunch.)

3. Important Considerations & Cautions

  • Skepticism is Common: The term "psychic" is closely associated with skepticism. The vast majority of scientists and rational people do not accept the existence of psychic abilities. Claims of psychic abilities are often attributed to:

    • Cold Reading: Skilled practitioners use general statements and observation to create the illusion of knowing someone’s personal details.
    • Confirmation Bias: People tend to remember events that seem to confirm their beliefs and forget those that don’t.
    • Coincidence: Random chance can lead to seemingly remarkable coincidences.

  • Tone and Context Matter: The way you use "psychic" can significantly impact the message. Using it casually can come across as endorsing questionable claims.

  • Alternatives: If you want to describe someone who seems to have a strong intuition or ability to sense things without implying paranormal abilities, consider using words like:

    • Intuitive
    • Perceptive
    • Sensitive
    • Empathetic

4. Related Terms

  • Psychometry: The ability to gain information about a person or object by touching it.
  • Medium: A person who claims to communicate with spirits of the dead. (Often overlaps with “psychic.”)
  • Parapsychology: The study of paranormal phenomena, including psychic abilities (though it’s a controversial field).

Resources for Further Research (If You're Interested in Exploring the Topic):

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  • Explain how to spot potential scams involving psychic readings?
  • Discuss the history of the concept of "psychic" abilities?

Synonyms for the word psychic

Practice with vocabulary psychic

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many people are fascinated by stories of individuals who claim to possess a sixth sense, allowing them to gain knowledge through non-physical means, often referred to as a ________ ability.
  2. Her ________ understanding of complex market trends allowed her to make consistently profitable investments, even without extensive data analysis.
  3. The detective dismissed the anonymous tip, stating there was no concrete evidence, only the vague feeling that the caller was a ________ claiming to foresee the crime.
  4. Despite the compelling testimonials, some researchers remain deeply ________ about the existence of paranormal phenomena and demand rigorous scientific proof.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following describes an individual who claims to have supernatural abilities to perceive information beyond the normal senses? a) An analyst b) A psychic c) A skeptic d) A logician

  2. If someone has a strong, immediate feeling or understanding about something without conscious reasoning, what quality are they demonstrating? (Choose all that apply) a) Intuitive b) Analytical c) Instinctive d) Deliberate

  3. The client sought advice from a spiritual medium, hoping her ________ insights could help resolve a long-standing personal dilemma. a) practical b) psychic c) mundane d) logical

  4. A company that uses data modeling and statistical analysis to predict future market shifts relies on which type of capabilities? (Choose all that apply) a) Clairvoyant b) Predictive c) Empirical d) Visionary

  5. Descriptions of events that seem to defy conventional scientific explanation, suggesting a connection to an unseen realm, might be labeled as ________ phenomena. a) mechanical b) psychic c) arbitrary d) physical

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He possessed an uncanny ability to know what others were thinking, as if he could read their minds without any verbal cues. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "psychic".

  2. Her immediate gut feeling about the new project's viability proved to be correct, despite initial doubts from the team. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement for "gut feeling" that does not imply supernatural ability.

  3. The news report featured a woman who asserted she could communicate with spirits and see future events. Rewrite the sentence using the word "psychic".

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. psychic
  2. intuitive
  3. psychic
  4. skeptical

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) A psychic
  2. a) Intuitive, c) Instinctive
  3. b) psychic
  4. b) Predictive, c) Empirical, d) Visionary
  5. b) psychic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He possessed an uncanny psychic ability to know what others were thinking, as if he could read their minds without any verbal cues.
  2. Her immediate intuitive feeling about the new project's viability proved to be correct, despite initial doubts from the team.
  3. The news report featured a psychic woman who asserted she could communicate with spirits and see future events.

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