Phenomenal Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms phenomenal American [fi-nom-uh-nl] / fɪˈnɒm ə nl /

adjective

1. highly extraordinary or prodigious; exceptional.

   phenomenal speed.

   Synonyms: unprecedented, surpassing, outstanding, uncommon

2. of or relating to phenomena.

3. of the nature of a phenomenon; cognizable by the senses.

phenomenal British / fɪˈnɒmɪnəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a phenomenon

2. extraordinary; outstanding; remarkable

   a phenomenal achievement

3. philosophy known or perceived by the senses rather than the mind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• nonphenomenal adjective
• nonphenomenally adverb
• phenomenality noun
• phenomenally adverb
• semiphenomenal adjective
• semiphenomenally adverb
• unphenomenal adjective
• unphenomenally adverb

Etymology

Origin of phenomenal

First recorded in 1815–25; phenomen(on) + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Britain's men, skipped by Bruce Mouat, had a phenomenal 2024-25 campaign, winning the world title and becoming the first rink ever to win four Grand Slam events in one season.

From BBC

Vonn's phenomenal form this season, against some skiers who are nearly half her age like Germany's rising star Emma Aicher, put her in a great position to add to her three Olympic medals.

From Barron's

“We had a little halftime speech and they responded and the home crowd was phenomenal.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Now, to finally get this kind of boost from the gold price is phenomenal.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The fourth seed wound back the clock with some phenomenal tennis in set one, securing the critical break in the fourth game after a mammoth 26-point rally.

From Barron's

Related Words

• extraordinary
• fantastic
• marvelous
• miraculous
• outstanding
• prodigious
• remarkable
• sensational
• substantial
• unparalleled
• unusual

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.