Word
phenomenal
Phoneticsphe·nom·e·nal, stress on the second syllable
US/fəˈnɑmənəɫ/
UK/fɪnˈɒmɪnəl/
Definitions
01extraordinary or amazing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adj. extremely successful, large, or impressive.
adj. highly extraordinary or remarkable; often used to describe exceptional performance or scale.
“The young pianist gave a phenomenal performance that left the audience in tears.”
“The company has seen phenomenal growth over the last fiscal year, outperforming even the most optimistic market projections.”
Usage
often used as an intensifier for success or talent.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02perceived by the senses
C1 · Advanced Science Academic · Technical
adj. relating to things that you can see, hear, or feel directly.
adj. perceptible by the senses through immediate experience; relating to the appearance of things rather than their independent reality.
“Scientists study phenomenal data to understand how the brain processes light.”
“The study focused on the phenomenal aspects of consciousness, specifically how individuals report their subjective experience of colour.”
Usage
frequently appears in scientific or psychological contexts regarding observation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03relating to appearances
C2 · Proficiency Philosophy Academic · Formal
adj. relating to how the world appears to us, rather than how it actually is.
adj. pertaining to the appearance of the world as opposed to the ultimate nature of reality as it exists in itself.
“In philosophy class, we discussed the difference between the phenomenal world and reality.”
“Kant argued that we can only ever know the phenomenal world, as the 'thing-in-itself' remains forever inaccessible to human reason.”
Usage
specifically used in Kantian philosophy to distinguish from the 'noumenal' world.
Real-World Examples
“It’s a phenomenal achievement – I don’t know how she did it.” “In practice this presents a phenomenal engineering challenge.” “But director Zach Cregger gave us last year’s phenomenal Weapons, and early word of mouth was extremely positive, so I took a chance.” Etymology
From phenomenon + -al, after French phénoménal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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