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To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

phenom, phenomena, phenomenon

Phenomenon is singular.

  • The blended family is a recent social phenomenon.
  • The Beatles were a music phenomenon in the 1960s.
  • Tropical cyclones are a rare phenomenon in Canada.

Although the plural form phenomenons is sometimes used to describe extraordinary objects, events or persons, phenomena is the recommended plural. (Note that phenomenas is a non-standard plural.)

  • Two categories of phenomena (not phenomenas) make up electromagnetic research.

The North American slang term phenom, meaning “prodigy,” is used mainly in sports and entertainment.

  • Canadian athlete Alexandre Despatie is a diving phenom.