First Known Use: 1825
Dictionary
phenomenal
adjective phe·nom·e·nal \fi-ˈnä-mə-nəl\
: very good or great : unusual in a way that is very impressive
Full Definition of PHENOMENAL
: relating to or being a phenomenon: as a : known through the senses rather than through thought or intuition b : concerned with phenomena rather than with hypotheses c : extraordinary, remarkable
— phe·nom·e·nal·ly \-nəl-ē\ adverb
See phenomenal defined for English-language learners
See phenomenal defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of PHENOMENAL
- The catch soared year after year, reaching a peak of 1.6 billion pounds in 1956. But not even the fish's phenomenal fecundity could sustain them under this industrial onslaught. —Bruce Franklin, Mother Jones, March & April 2006
- The region's two main communities are Camden, with its very old money and … five-star restaurants and phenomenal B&Bs, and Rockland, a serious old fishing town that hosts the Festival every summer in historic Harbor Park, right along the water. —David Foster Wallace, Gourmet, August 2004
- Physical prowess aside, the concentration required on the beam is phenomenal. —Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated, 18 Oct. 2000
- Given his phenomenal poll numbers in a race he has not yet officially entered … —Julia Reed, Vogue, February 1999
- [+]more
Origin of PHENOMENAL
(see phenomenon)
Related to PHENOMENAL
- Synonyms
- aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, exceptional, preternatural, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted
- Antonyms
- common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual
Synonym Discussion of PHENOMENAL
material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality. material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping <material values>. physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary <the physical benefits of exercise>. corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force <artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings>. phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction <scientists concerned with the phenomenal world>. sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses <the earth's rotation is not sensible to us>. objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it <no objective evidence of damage>.
Rhymes with PHENOMENAL
PHENOMENAL Defined for Kids
phenomenal
adjective phe·nom·e·nal \fi-ˈnä-mə-nəl\
Definition of PHENOMENAL for Kids
: very remarkable : extraordinary <He has a phenomenal memory.>
Learn More About PHENOMENAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: phenomenalismPrevious Word in the Dictionary: phenomenaAll Words Near: phenomenal
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up phenomenal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).