phoenix

¹ American  

[fee-niks] / ˈfi nɪks /

Also phenix

noun

genitive

Phoenicis

1. Sometimes Phoenix a mythical bird of great beauty fabled to live 500 or 600 years in the Arabian wilderness, to burn itself on a funeral pyre, and to rise from its ashes in the freshness of youth and live through another cycle of years: often an emblem of immortality or of reborn idealism or hope.

2. (initial capital letter) a southern constellation between Hydrus and Sculptor.

3. a person or thing of peerless beauty or excellence; paragon.

4. a person or thing that has become renewed or restored after suffering calamity or apparent annihilation.

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Phoenix ² American  

[fee-niks] / ˈfi nɪks /

noun

1. Classical Mythology.

   1. the brother of Cadmus and Europa, and eponymous ancestor of the Phoenicians.

   2. a son of Amyntor and Cleobule who became the foster father of Achilles and who fought with the Greek forces in the Trojan War.

2. a city in and the capital of Arizona, in the central part.

3. Military. a 13-foot (4-meter), 989-pound (445-kilogram) U.S. Navy air-to-air missile with radar guidance and a range of over 120 nautical miles.

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phoenix ¹ British  

/ ˈfiːnɪks /

noun

1. a legendary Arabian bird said to set fire to itself and rise anew from the ashes every 500 years

2. a person or thing of surpassing beauty or quality

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Phoenix ² British  

/ ˈfiːnɪks /

noun

1. a constellation in the S hemisphere lying between Grus and Eridanus

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Phoenix ³ British  

/ ˈfiːnɪks /

noun

1. a city in central Arizona, capital city of the state, on the Salt River. Pop: 1 388 416 (2003 est)

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Phoenix ¹ Cultural  

1. Capital city of Arizona.

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phoenix ² Cultural  

1. A mythical bird that periodically burned itself to death and emerged from the ashes as a new phoenix. According to most stories, the rebirth of the phoenix happened every five hundred years. Only one phoenix lived at a time.

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Discover More

To “rise like a phoenix from the ashes” is to overcome a seemingly insurmountable setback.

Etymology

Origin of phoenix

First recorded before 900; from Latin, from Greek phoînix “a mythical bird, purple-red color,” Phoenician, “date palm”; replacing Middle English, Old English fēnix, from Medieval Latin; Latin as above

Explanation

If you want to see a phoenix, simply locate a unicorn or a centaur, and then you'll be in the right neighborhood. A phoenix is a mythical bird known for rising from its ashes. Don't try that at home! Accordingly to ancient legend, the phoenix is a bird that cyclically burns to death and is reborn from its own ashes. For this reason, the phoenix often serves as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. The name of Phoenix, Arizona is a direct reference to this idea; Phoenix was built upon the ruins of a civilization that had collapsed long before, apparently due to drought.

Example Sentences

"He's come back and returned, rising from the ashes, the Jamaican phoenix."

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2025

“In my hand is a phoenix rising from the ashes, with a green ‘Shrek’ background.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

"I was determined not to let him win," she said, adding that although she believed she was going to die that night she would "rise like a phoenix from the ashes".

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2025

Now, like the proverbial phoenix, Akashi’s show will go on, recontextualized to meet the moment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2025

The phoenix is a gentle creature that has never been known to kill and eats only herbs.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale