Word
epiphany
Phoneticsepiphany
US/ɪˈpɪfəni/
UK/ɪpˈɪfənˌi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a moment when you suddenly understand something very important. It feels like a light bulb turning on in your head.
n. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something. Often involves a transformative realization triggered by a commonplace occurrence.
Examples
“She had an epiphany about her career while walking in the park.”
“After weeks of struggling with the math problem, he had a sudden epiphany that revealed the solution.”
“The protagonist experiences a profound epiphany in the final chapter, realizing that his pursuit of wealth has cost him his most valued relationships.”
Examples
simple
“She had an epiphany about her career while walking in the park.”
contextual
“After weeks of struggling with the math problem, he had a sudden epiphany that revealed the solution.”
complex
“The protagonist experiences a profound epiphany in the final chapter, realizing that his pursuit of wealth has cost him his most valued relationships.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “epiphany” in context.
Verb
01. experience an epiphany
“Many great scientists experience an epiphany after years of fruitless research.”
verb + noun
02. have an epiphany
“I had a sudden epiphany while walking in the park, and the solution to the problem became clear.”
verb + noun
03. lead to an epiphany
“The long conversation with her mentor eventually led to a life-changing epiphany.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
04. profound epiphany
“The protagonist undergoes a profound epiphany at the end of the novel.”
adj + noun
05. sudden epiphany
“A sudden epiphany struck him during the lecture, changing his entire perspective on the subject.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. moment of epiphany
“In a rare moment of epiphany, she realized that her career path was no longer fulfilling.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'have' or 'experience' and the preposition 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“When finally given the chance to try his hand at waiting tables, he has an epiphany that serving others gives him satisfaction and purpose.” “Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian After being persuaded to see live comedy while studying philosophy at university, she had an epiphany.” “Aaron Lansky was a young graduate student in Montreal in the late 1970s when he had an epiphany that changed the course of his life.” “AL Kennedy goes in search of epiphanies - those powerful revelations, the Aha! Instant in cognitive science, the Eureka moment among theorists and inventors.” Etymology
PIE word *h₁epi See epiphany.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
In Music
Epiphany · 2020 · Ambient music
- Artist:
- Taylor Swift
- Album:
- Folklore
Taylor Swift released this ambient track in 2020 as a tribute to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The title refers to the sudden, profound realizations people face during times of crisis and trauma. It captures the search for meaning and clarity amidst the exhaustion of a global emergency.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/epiphany