Clairvoyant: meaning, definitions and examples

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clairvoyant

[klɛːˈvɔɪənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

fortune telling

A clairvoyant is a person who claims to have a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact.

Synonyms

medium, psychic, seer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
clairvoyant	Refers to a person who claims to have the ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. Often used in contexts where there is a focus on seeing future events or gaining insight through supernatural means. The clairvoyant predicted that there would be an unexpected visitor in my life. She visited a clairvoyant to learn more about her future.
psychic	A general term for someone who claims to have supernatural abilities, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, or precognition. Often used in a variety of contexts where someone is believed to possess extra-sensory perception. The psychic gave me a reading about my career prospects. Many people were skeptical about the psychic’s abilities.
seer	An older or more literary term, often used in historical, fantasy, or religious contexts. It refers to someone who has the power to see visions of the future or gain insight through mystical means. The ancient seer foretold the rise of a great king. In the village, they consulted the seer for guidance before making important decisions.
medium	This term is usually used for someone believed to be able to communicate with the spirits of the dead. It is often used in contexts related to séances or spirit communication. The medium claimed to have messages from lost loved ones. During the séance, the medium entered a trance to contact the other side.

Examples of usage

The clairvoyant predicted that I would meet someone special at the party.
She visited the clairvoyant to learn about her future career prospects.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

describing abilities

Having or exhibiting an ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact.

Synonyms

intuitive, prescient, prophetic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
clairvoyant	Used when describing a person who is believed to have a supernatural ability to see the future or gain information about an object, person, location, or physical event through extrasensory perception. She visited a clairvoyant to find out if she would get the job. The clairvoyant's predictions often amazed her clients.
intuitive	Refers to the ability to understand or know something without any direct evidence or reasoning process. Often used in everyday context to describe gut feelings or a natural insight. Her intuitive sense told her that something was wrong. He has an intuitive understanding of the market trends.
prescient	Describes someone or something that shows knowledge of events before they take place, typically in a more intellectual or analytical context compared to 'clairvoyant.' His prescient insights saved the company from a financial disaster. The prescient author predicted the social changes in her novel.
prophetic	Used to describe something that predicts or partially predicts future events, often with a connotation of being inspired or influenced by divine guidance. Can be used in both positive and negative connotations. Her prophetic dreams are often unsettling but sometimes insightful. The prophetic warning was ignored, leading to dire consequences.

Examples of usage

He has always had a clairvoyant ability to predict the outcome of sports matches.
The artist's work seemed almost clairvoyant, as if she could see into the souls of her subjects.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from French, where 'clair' means 'clear' and 'voyant' means 'seeing'.
It first entered the English language in the mid-19th century, reflecting growing interest in psychic phenomena.
Historically, similar concepts appear in various cultures, often linked to seers or prophets.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, clairvoyants serve a role in spiritual practices, helping individuals seek guidance or answers.
Movies and literature often portray clairvoyants as mysterious characters with the ability to predict tragic events.
Some famous works, like Edgar Allan Poe’s stories, feature characters that communicate with the supernatural.

Psychology

The belief in clairvoyance can be a way for people to cope with uncertainty in their lives.
Psychological studies show that high-stress situations may lead individuals to seek out clairvoyants for reassurance.
The phenomenon of believing in clairvoyance can be linked to cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias.

Science

Scientific communities largely regard clairvoyance as a pseudoscience, often attributing claims to psychological or environmental explanations.
Controlled studies on clairvoyance typically fail to produce consistent results, leading to skepticism about its validity.
Parapsychology is the field that attempts to study paranormal claims, including clairvoyance, although it lacks broad acceptance in mainstream science.

Pop Culture

Television shows like 'Medium' and 'The Ghost Whisperer' popularize the concept of clairvoyancy by depicting characters who communicate with spirits.
Clairvoyants have often been depicted in comic books, such as Marvel's characters who possess psychic abilities.
Festivals and fairs often feature clairvoyants offering tarot readings or psychic insights, blending entertainment with mystical beliefs.

Translations

Translations of the word "clairvoyant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 clarividente

🇮🇳 अतीन्द्रियदर्शी

🇩🇪 Hellseher

🇮🇩 peramal

🇺🇦 ясновидець

🇵🇱 jasnowidz

🇯🇵 予知能力者 (よちのうりょくしゃ)

🇫🇷 clairvoyant

🇪🇸 clarividente

🇹🇷 kahin

🇰🇷 예언자 (豫言者)

🇸🇦 العراف

🇨🇿 jasnovidec

🇸🇰 jasnovidec

🇨🇳 预言家 (yùyánjiā)

🇸🇮 jasnovidec

🇮🇸 skyggn

🇰🇿 көріпкел

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველი (tsinastsarmetyveli)

🇦🇿 görən

🇲🇽 clarividente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,112, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
28109 midget
28110 picnicking
28111 choppers
28112 clairvoyant
28113 overdrive
28114 clanking
28115 waxen
...