What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
psychic
Example
The psychic claimed to have a vision of my future. [psychic: noun]
Example
She has psychic abilities that allow her to sense things beyond the physical realm. [psychic: adjective]
spiritualist
Example
The spiritualist conducted a séance to communicate with the deceased. [spiritualist: noun]
Example
She considers herself a spiritualist and believes in the power of meditation and prayer. [spiritualist: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Psychic is more commonly used than spiritualist in everyday language, especially in the context of entertainment or pop culture. Spiritualist is less common and may be associated with more niche or specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between psychic and spiritualist?
Both psychic and spiritualist can be used in formal or informal contexts, but spiritualist may be more likely to be used in academic or scholarly discussions of religion or spirituality.