noun
phenomenon
fuh-NOM-ih-nuhn
noun
1
An observable event, fact, or occurrence, especially one that is studied or explained scientifically.
"Climate change is a phenomenon backed by overwhelming scientific evidence."
"Sleepwalking is a fairly common phenomenon in young children."
2
A person or thing that is remarkable or extraordinary.
"The young violinist was hailed as a musical phenomenon."
How to Use Phenomenon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that happens or exists and can be observed, or a truly remarkable person or thing.
Common mistake
The plural is "phenomena," not "phenomenons." Also easy to misspell — remember it has an "-enon" ending.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
natural phenomenon
social phenomenon
a rare phenomenon
Word Forms
phenomena plural, phenomenons plural, phenomenon plural
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Climate change is a _____ backed by overwhelming scientific evidence.
Etymology
From Late Latin phaenomenon, borrowed from Greek phainomenon, "a thing that appears," from phainein, "to show."