phenomenological

American  

[fi-nom-uh-nl-oj-i-kuhl] / fɪˌnɒm ə nlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl /

Rarely phenomenologic

adjective

1. of, relating to, or based on observed or observable facts.

   The researchers opted for a phenomenological investigation rather than a purely theoretical study.

2. Philosophy. of or relating to someone’s awareness or experience of something rather than the thing itself.

   Case study scholars examine a particular phenomenon, while phenomenological scholars examine its essence and meaning as experienced by people in their everyday lives.

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Other Word Forms

• phenomenologically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of phenomenological

phenomenolog(y) ( def. ) + -ical ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phenomenological

Mr. Kirsch, a poet and critic, is alert to the relationship between psychological desires and phenomenological experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

The model uses a phenomenological approach, focusing on the overall behavior rather than the exact underlying mechanisms that cause electrons to pair into Cooper pairs.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 10, 2026

There’s more to examine in the way “Severance” shifts our focus away from the practical machinery behind Lumon’s endgame, whatever that may be, toward more phenomenological considerations.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2025

In the case of the latter, a song may break some or all the rules of music theory but still present a phenomenological reality of experiences of joy, pain, angst, or anger.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 15, 2022

Since 1970 I have delved into phenomenologists' writings and at this time can say that this process of studying nursing is a phenomenological method of nursology.

From Humanistic Nursing by Josephine G. Paterson