clairvoyant
What does "clairvoyant" mean?
A clairvoyant is someone who possesses the supposed ability to gain information about an object, person, or future event through extrasensory perception. The term originates from French, literally meaning "clear-seeing," which perfectly captures the mental image of someone whose vision transcends the physical barriers of time and space to perceive hidden truths. While often used in contexts involving psychics or fortune-tellers, the word can also be used metaphorically to describe someone with extraordinary intuition or an uncanny ability to foresee how a situation will unfold. It is a sophisticated, slightly dramatic term that suggests a level of insight that feels almost supernatural.
"clairvoyant" in conversation
Discussing a friend's intuition
I swear, Mark knew exactly what I was going to say before I opened my mouth.
I swear, Mark knew exactly what I was going to say before I opened my mouth.
He’s basically clairvoyant at this point.
He’s basically clairvoyant at this point.
Used here to describe someone with high emotional intelligence or intuition.
Watching a mystery movie
How did the detective figure that out so quickly?
How did the detective figure that out so quickly?
He’s not clairvoyant, he just noticed the clues we all missed.
He’s not clairvoyant, he just noticed the clues we all missed.
Used to contrast supernatural knowledge with logical deduction.
"clairvoyant" in a sentence
She claimed to be clairvoyant and offered to predict my future.
She claimed to be clairvoyant and offered to predict my future.
The CEO’s clairvoyant approach to market trends kept the company ahead of its competitors for a decade.
The CEO’s clairvoyant approach to market trends kept the company ahead of its competitors for a decade.
It takes a clairvoyant sensibility to navigate the shifting sands of global politics before the public even notices a change.
It takes a clairvoyant sensibility to navigate the shifting sands of global politics before the public even notices a change.
