Word Finder
What's the word for the eerie feeling that something has happened before?
The word you're looking for
Déjà vu is the strange feeling that you have already seen or lived through a moment. It fits this concept exactly, and people use it in everyday English.
Other words that fit
Use this in clinical or technical writing, not in normal conversation.
Use this for the opposite feeling: something familiar suddenly feels new.
Why this word
The best word for this feeling is usually the French phrase déjà vu. It describes the eerie sense that a new event has happened before. People often use it in casual speech, even though it is not an English-origin word. Do not confuse it with similar terms like paramnesia, which is more technical, or jamais vu, which means the opposite feeling.
In context
- I had déjà vu when I entered the same room again.
- This conversation feels like déjà vu.
- Her description gave me a strong sense of déjà vu.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is déjà vu an English word?
- It is borrowed from French, but it is very common in English.
- What is the difference between déjà vu and jamais vu?
- Déjà vu feels familiar. Jamais vu feels unfamiliar even when you know it well.
- Can I say 'I got déjà vu'?
- Yes. That is a natural and common way to say it.