Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extraordinarily great or impressive: Used to describe something that is extremely impressive, remarkable, or outstanding in degree.
   • Relating to or being a phenomenon: Pertaining to a perceptible event, fact, or occurrence, especially one that is remarkable or unusual.

Usage and Examples

• Describing something extraordinarily great:
  • The team's performance was phenomenal, leading them to victory.
  • She has a phenomenal memory for details.
• Relating to a phenomenon (less common in everyday use):
  • The study focused on the phenomenal aspects of consciousness.
  • He is interested in the phenomenal world as perceived by the senses.

Advanced Usage

• "Phenomenal success": An outstanding and remarkable level of achievement.
  • The product launch was a phenomenal success.
• "Phenomenal growth": Exceptionally rapid or impressive development.
  • The company has seen phenomenal growth in the last quarter.

Variants and Related Words

• Phenomenon (noun): A fact, occurrence, or circumstance that is observed or observable, especially one that is remarkable or unusual.
  • The northern lights are a natural phenomenon.
• Phenomenally (adverb): In a phenomenal manner; extraordinarily.
  • The athlete performed phenomenally well.

Synonyms

• Extraordinary: Very unusual or remarkable.
• Astounding: Surprisingly impressive or notable.
• Prodigious: Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
• Fantastic: Extraordinarily good or attractive.

Antonyms

• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Commonplace: Not unusual; ordinary.
• Unremarkable: Not particularly interesting or surprising.

Notes on Meaning

The word "phenomenal" is most frequently used in contemporary English in its first sense, to emphasize that something is exceptionally impressive or great. Its second sense, directly relating to a "phenomenon," is more academic or philosophical. The word often carries a strong positive connotation of awe or admiration.

Adjective

1. exceedingly or unbelievably great
   • the bomb did fantastic damage
   • Samson is supposed to have had fantastic strength
   • phenomenaRl feats of memory
2. of or relating to a phenomenon
   • phenomenal science