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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"Thank goodness for Spellzone during this remote learning phase. The site is easy for students to navigate independently and they're really enjoying the activities and spelling games. You get an awful lot for your money with Spellzone. Really reassuring is the very prompt response with helpdesk queries. I've very rarely needed the helpdesk, but when I have, the issue has been addressed and sorted within a very short time."

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