phenomenal
Americanadjective
-
highly extraordinary or prodigious; exceptional.
phenomenal speed.
- Synonyms:
- unprecedented, surpassing, outstanding, uncommon
-
of or relating to phenomena.
-
of the nature of a phenomenon; cognizable by the senses.
adjective
-
of or relating to a phenomenon
-
extraordinary; outstanding; remarkable
a phenomenal achievement
-
philosophy known or perceived by the senses rather than the mind
Other Word Forms
- nonphenomenal adjective
- nonphenomenally adverb
- phenomenality noun
- phenomenally adverb
- semiphenomenal adjective
- semiphenomenally adverb
- unphenomenal adjective
- unphenomenally adverb
Etymology
Origin of phenomenal
First recorded in 1815–25; phenomen(on) + -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It's amazing that we're actually gonna go around and miss this thing. It was just so close and so to take all of that in was really phenomenal."
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
“They’re phenomenal at what they do,” Carden said of the major off-price retailers, including Ross and TJX, which owns T.J.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
He described the experience as "pretty phenomenal" and "a pinch me moment", especially after studying Hockney for his GCSEs at Chase High School in Malvern.
From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026
A pure entertainment hour, without which Elvis, the Beatles and countless other acts might not have had their phenomenal initial exposure.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
For she remembered his words: the energy that links body and daemon is immensely powerful; and to bridge the gap between worlds needed a phenomenal burst of energy.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
