Words / B2

f-uh-NOM-in-uh-n/fəˈnɒmɪnən/

A phenomenon is an observable fact or event, especially one that is striking or needs explanation: a natural / social / cultural phenomenon. The plural is phenomena (not phenomenons in academic English); event is everyday, while phenomenon is scientific or analytical. Phenomenal as an adjective often just means “excellent” in informal speech — a different flavour.

Meaning

A fact or event that can be observed, especially an unusual one.

Examples

• “Lightning is a natural phenomenon.”
• “Urban heat islands are a well-documented phenomenon.”
• “The same phenomenon appears in several unrelated languages.”

Good to know

Plural: phenomena. a natural / social phenomenon. Informal “phenomenal” = excellent.

Near in meaning

occurrence

New