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phenomenon
[ fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn ]
noun
- a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable:
to study the phenomena of nature.
Synonyms: ,
- something that is impressive or extraordinary.
Synonyms: ,
- a remarkable or exceptional person; prodigy; wonder.
Synonyms: ,
- Philosophy.
- an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience.
- Kantianism. a thing as it appears to and is constructed by the mind, as distinguished from a noumenon, or thing-in-itself.
phenomenon
/ ɪˈɒɪə /
noun
- anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact by the senses
- any remarkable occurrence or person
- philosophy
- the object of perception, experience, etc
- (in the writings of Kant) a thing as it appears and is interpreted in perception and reflection, as distinguished from its real nature as a thing-in-itself Compare noumenon
Usage
Word History and Origins
Origin of phenomenon1
Word History and Origins
Origin of phenomenon1
Example Sentences
The Rose Field refers to a magnetic or gravitational field, and was mentioned in the opening chapters of Northern Lights, when scholars at Lyra's Oxford college secretly discussed a mysterious phenomenon called Dust.
“This cooperative agreement promotes exaggerated and implausible climate threats, contributing to a phenomenon known as climate anxiety,” his office wrote in an April 8 press release from the Department of Commerce.
“The Sopranos” became an immediate cultural phenomenon when it premiered in January 1999, a Mafia drama with unusual depths of character development and narrative vigor.
A similar story emerges this year for Checker, whose song The Twist became a global phenomenon in 1960.
She is also shortlisted in the best album category, where she will go up against Charli XCX's Brat, which became a cultural phenomenon last summer.
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Related Words
More About Phenomenon
does phenomenon mean?
Phenomenon most generally refers to an observable occurrence or circumstance. For example, a hurricane is a kind of weather phenomenon.
Phenomenon is also commonly used to refer to an extraordinary event or something that becomes the subject of widespread interest and attention, as in The movie has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Sometimes, phenomenon refers to a person with an extraordinary talent or ability, especially a relatively young person who is considered a prodigy. The word phenom (a shortened form of phenomenon) is commonly used to mean the same thing, as in She became an internationally known chess phenom when she was just 14 years old.
The plural of phenomenon is phenomena.
The adjective phenomenal is most commonly used to mean highly extraordinary or exceptional, as in It was a phenomenal display of skill. It can also be used more generally to mean relating to phenomena in some way, as in My philosophy paper deals with the phenomenal qualities of existence.
Example: Halley’s comet is a phenomenon that occurs every 76 years.
Where does ԴdzԴDzcome from?
The first records of the word phenomenon come from the 1580s. It comes from the Greek óԴDz, from the verb íԱٳ, meaning “to appear, become visible,” from íԱ, “to show, bring to light, make known.”
Most senses of phenomenon deal with things that are visible or observable or that have become well-known. In science, the word phenomenon is typically used to refer to anything that occurs naturally and can be observed, such as a weather phenomenon or a cosmic phenomenon. In philosophy, it’s used more broadly to refer to an object of perception or experience. In a more popular sense, it refers to something that has become a spectacle or the source of a lot of attention, or to someone who is famed for their exceptional talent.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to phenomenon?
- phenomena (plural)
- phenomenal (adjective)
- phenomenally (adverb)
are some synonyms for phenomenon?
are some words that share a root or word element with phenomenon?
are some words that often get used in discussing phenomenon?
How is phenomenon used in real life?
Phenomenon is a somewhat formal word, but it can be used in all kinds of contexts, including serious scientific ones and ones involving pop culture.
This rare phenomenon ( ) happens when rocks lying on the surface of frozen lakes are heated by sunlight and emit infrared rays, melting ice below. When the sun sets, the ice refreezes, creating these incredible frozen near-impossible structures.
— Paul Beckwith (@PaulHBeckwith)
Wow! A rare weather phenomenon!! Anticrepuscular rays seen opposite the sunrise this morning!
— Grant Johnston (@GrantJNBC5)
The inside track on how Salah has become a phenomenon at
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC)
Try using phenomenon!
True or False?
Lightning is a kind of weather phenomenon.
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