epiphany

[ ih-pif-uh-nee ]

See synonyms for: epiphany epiphanies on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural e·piph·a·nies.

(initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.

a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

Origin of epiphany

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English epiphanie, from Late Latin epiphanīa, from Late Greek epipháneia, from Greek: “apparition,” equivalent to epi- epi- + phan- (stem of phaínein “to appear”) + -eia -y³

Other words from epiphany

ep·i·phan·ic [ep-uh-fan-ik], /ˌɛp əˈfæn ɪk/, e·piph·a·nous, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use epiphany in a sentence

At the end of a year shaped by forces beyond our control, that epiphany is a gift.
The world’s problems overwhelmed me. This book empowered me. | Kelsey Piper | December 11, 2020 | Vox
Often, however, the epiphanies born from discovery are ephemeral flashes that burn hot and bright but are quickly forgotten, if not overlooked entirely, by much of the population.
During a year of tumult, space has been a rare bright spot. SpaceX and NASA hope to keep it that way. | Christian Davenport | November 11, 2020 | Washington Post
It doesn’t arrive and do its work all at once, like an epiphany.
Trumpism is a lifestyle disease, chronic in America | Philip Kennicott | November 6, 2020 | Washington Post
Election officials might have a few epiphanies, too, especially when it comes to voting by mail.
9 questions about 2020’s record-breaking early vote, answered | Rani Molla | October 30, 2020 | Vox
You had your shellac bug epiphany listening to an Ella Fitzgerald recording.
Why We Should Eat Crickets. And Other Bug Ideas - Facts So Romantic | Mary Ellen Hannibal | October 2, 2020 | Nautilus

Did you have a single a-religious epiphanic moment, when you realized that, for you, there was no God?
Richard Dawkins: How I Write | Noah Charney | November 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Let me follow-up and ask what the next project was that you set your sights on after this epiphanic moment?
How I Write: Jared Diamond | Noah Charney | November 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for epiphany (1 of 2)

epiphany

/ (ɪˈpɪfənɪ) /

nounplural -nies

the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality
any moment of great or sudden revelation

Origin of epiphany

C17: via Church Latin from Greek epiphaneia an appearing, from epi- + phainein to show

Derived forms of epiphany

epiphanic (ˌɛpɪˈfænɪk), adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Epiphany (2 of 2)

Epiphany

/ (ɪˈpɪfənɪ) /

nounplural -nies

a Christian festival held on Jan 6, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ to the Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Epiphany

Epiphany

[ (i-pif-uh-nee) ]

A festival in Christianity celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Epiphany means “a showing forth” — in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles.

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