What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spiritualist
Example
The spiritualist believed that the spirits of the deceased could communicate with the living. [spiritualist: noun]
Example
She attended a spiritualist gathering to connect with her deceased loved ones. [spiritualist: adjective]
medium
Example
The medium claimed to have received a message from the deceased person's spirit. [medium: noun]
Example
She consulted a medium to help her communicate with her deceased grandmother. [medium: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Medium is more commonly used than spiritualist in everyday language, especially in the context of communicating with the dead. Spiritualist is less common and may be associated with a more niche or specific belief system.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spiritualist and medium?
Both spiritualist and medium can be used in formal and informal contexts, but medium may be more commonly used in formal settings such as discussions of paranormal phenomena or investigations of psychic abilities.