Word for Wednesday: Pareidolia

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While it’s unlikely that you’ll have come across this unusual word before, it describes something we have all experienced.

Pareidolia, ponounced ‘par-eye-doe-lee-ya’, is the mental phenomenon of assigning significance to inanimate objects or images – in other words, seeing faces in things.

Much like learning a new word, once you know about it, you’ll notice pareidolia everywhere!

There are countless examples of pareidolia on the web but a particularly good gallery to check out is where James Plafke has compiled a list of ‘50 Things That Look Like Faces’

Can you spot any this week?

Tweet your pareidolia pictures @Spellzone!

Hugh MacDermott


08 Apr 2015
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"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students!  I'm sure Spellzone will be invaluable in helping them to improve their spellings and therefore improve the quality of their writing in all subject areas!"

Teacher, High School, UK