DictionaryAI

phenomenon

noun
USfuh-NO-muh-non/fəˈnɑ.məˌnɑn/fuh-NOM-i-nuhn/fəˈnɒm.ɪ.nən/AUSfuh-NOM-uh-non/fəˈnɔm.ə.nɔn/

Pluralphenomena, phenomenon

3 meanings of phenomenon

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable
    Something that happens or exists and that people can see, notice, or study, like lightning or migration.

    Earthquakes are a natural phenomenon found all over the world.

    Volcanoes and geysers are related phenomena driven by underground heat.

    UsageOne phenomenon, two phenomena (not incorrect: a phenomena).

  2. 2
    nouncountable
    A person, thing, or event that people find very unusual, surprising, or impressive.

    The young singer became a phenomenon almost overnight.

    The new game was a phenomenon, and every kid wanted it.

    UsageSay a local phenomenon or a worldwide phenomenon.

    Similarsensation, marvel, wonder, prodigy

  3. 3
    shaped by mindnouncountable
    A thing as the mind experiences it, shaped by how we perceive and think.

    Like seeing the world through colored glasses: what you see depends on the glasses, not just the thing itself.

    For Kant, a tree is a phenomenon shaped by how our minds take it in.

    We can only know phenomena, not things as they truly are in themselves.

    Similarappearance

    Oppositenoumenon

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of phenomenon apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Greek, from a word meaning "thing appearing to view," from a verb meaning "I show."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts