phenom

[fee-nom, fi-nom]

noun

Slang.

1. a phenomenon, especially a young prodigy.

   a twelve-year-old tennis phenom.

phenom

/ fɪˈnɒm /

noun

1. informal,  a person or thing of outstanding abilities or qualities

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenom¹

By shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenom¹

C20: from _phenom ( _enon )

Example Sentences

But here, it’s directed at the young phenom Sasaki to bedevil hitters when he comes out in relief.

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And he delivered the kind of game the baseball world dreamed about when the two-way phenom first arrived from Japan, fulfilling the prophecy that accompanied him as a near-mythical prospect eight years earlier.

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Practically overnight, the 23-year-old Sasaki has transformed from a fading phenom into the burgeoning ace the Dodgers envisioned when they signed him in January.

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It had been eight months since Sasaki signed with the Dodgers amid massive expectations, coming over from Japan as a 23-year-old phenom billed as possessing some of the best raw arm talent in the world.

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Another theory is that Euro phenoms arrive toughened up by playing against older men.

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Related Words

• accomplished 
• adept 
• apt 
• capable 
• competent 
• conversant 
• efficient 
• experienced 
• gifted 
• qualified 
• skillful 
• talented 
• trained www.thesaurus.com
• versed 

When To Use

What does phenom mean?

A phenom is a person with an extraordinary talent or ability. The word is especially used to refer to a relatively young person who is considered a prodigy.Phenom is a shortened version of the word phenomenon, which can be used to mean the same thing.The word phenom is often preceded by the particular field that the phenom excels in or the skill that they have, as in chess phenom or basketball phenom.Example: All eyes are on the gymnastics phenom as she makes her first international appearance.