Paranormal

In its simplest form, 'paranormal' can be broken down into two constituent words.

The first, para-, is from the Greek para which, among other definitions, can mean 'beside' or 'beyond', hence paranormal becomes 'beside normal' or 'beyond normal'.

Dictionary definitions of the term tend to vary slightly, but most describe paranormal as being something that is unexplained, or more specifically something that cannot be explained by science.

In general use, paranormal can serve as an umbrella term for a plethora of unexplained phenomena ranging from UFOs and alien abductions to cryptozoological creatures and psychic powers, but when most people use the terms 'paranormal phenomena' or 'paranormal activity' they are typically referring to ghosts and hauntings - and this is also the definition of the term that we primarily use on this site.