phenomenal
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for phenomenal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Extremely impressive or remarkable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use phenomenal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
phenomenal success
phenomenal talent
phenomenal growth
Etymology
Built from "phenomenon" plus the adjective ending "-al," following the pattern of French phénoménal.
Full origin of phenomenal →Frequently asked questions
What does “phenomenal” mean?
The word “phenomenal” means extremely impressive or remarkable. In plain terms, extremely impressive, or (in philosophy) relating to what can be observed through the senses.
How do you pronounce “phenomenal”?
“Phenomenal” is pronounced fih-NO-mih-nuhl (/fɪˈnɑmɪnəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “phenomenal” in a sentence?
Here is “phenomenal” used in a sentence: “She gave a phenomenal performance in the final.”
What part of speech is “phenomenal”?
“Phenomenal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “phenomenal” come from?
The word “phenomenal” comes from French. Built from "phenomenon" plus the adjective ending "-al," following the pattern of French phénoménal.
Is “phenomenal” a common word?
“Phenomenal” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “phenomenal” have?
“Phenomenal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely impressive or remarkable.
What is the difference between phenomenal and phenomenon?
Phenomenal is an adjective, while phenomenon is a noun. Phenomenal describes something as extremely impressive or remarkable, or as relating to phenomena, whereas phenomenon names an observable fact, event, or occurrence itself.
Is phenomenal formal or informal?
Phenomenal works in both formal and informal contexts. In everyday speech it commonly means extremely impressive or remarkable, such as a phenomenal performance, while in more technical or academic writing it can carry its other sense, relating to phenomena known through the senses rather than pure reasoning.
What does phenomenal mean in philosophy?
In a philosophical context, phenomenal relates to phenomena, meaning things known through the senses rather than through pure reasoning. This sense is distinct from the everyday meaning of phenomenal as extremely impressive or remarkable.
