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phenom
[ fee-nom, fi-nom ]
noun
- a phenomenon, especially a young prodigy:
a twelve-year-old tennis phenom.
phenom
/ fɪˈnɒm /
noun
- informal.a person or thing of outstanding abilities or qualities
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Word History and Origins
Origin of phenom1
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Word History and Origins
Origin of phenom1
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Example Sentences
Erin Brooks is a 13-year-old surfing phenom notching impressive competition results and landing tricks that still elude many adult pros.
Moreover, breakout stars like Stanford’s Aliyah Boston or freshmen phenoms Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers are held back from joining the league by an age requirement of 22.
You can read Michal Lev-Ram and Andrew Nusca’s wonderful story on the phenom here.
Which raises a question about the phenom whom Israel’s previous first-round draftee called “the greatest talent in Israeli basketball history.”
The next three drafts are projected to have ideal depth and plenty of franchise-altering phenoms.
The talk radio phenom and Fox News staple has identified himself as a longtime listener of the TRN patriarch.
Bring in Khatuna Lorig, a five-time Olympian and archery phenom.
And their relationship has continued--a trip back to Phenom Penh late last month was Angelo's third.
Presa, Jugendstil, and schwannoma were the words that knocked a young phenom out of the last three National Spelling Bees.
The former Denver Broncos phenom rarely saw the field for the Jets this year, and the team is reportedly looking to trade him.
News travels fast in a college community and Drake had passed the word that Ainslee had uncovered a “phenom.”
"Better pull in on the infant phenom—Snorky might hear of it," he thought.
He is a phenom, a veritable Prodigious Prodigy, and maybe old Bannister isn't wild with enthusiasm.
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Related Words
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More About Phenom
What does phenom mean?
A phenom is a person with an extraordinary talent or ability. The word is especially used to refer to a relatively young person who is considered a prodigy.
Phenom is a shortened version of the word phenomenon, which can be used to mean the same thing.
The word phenom is often preceded by the particular field that the phenom excels in or the skill that they have, as in chess phenom or basketball phenom.
Example: All eyes are on the gymnastics phenom as she makes her first international appearance.
Where does phenom come from?
Phenom has been used as a shortening of phenomenon (meaning “an exceptionally talented person) since at least the 1880s. Phenomenon comes from the Greek phainómenon, from the verb phaínesthai, meaning “to appear, become visible,” from phaínein, “to show, bring to light, make known.”
Phenoms often gain fame due to their exceptional talents or abilities. This is especially the case for young people who are gifted beyond their years. The older that such a phenom gets, the less likely they are to be called a phenom, simply because it is less unexpected for an older person to possess exceptional skill.
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What are some synonyms for phenom?
What are some words that share a root or word element with phenom?
What are some words that often get used in discussing phenom?
How is phenom used in real life?
Phenom is somewhat informal. It’s most commonly used to refer to young people and is often preceded with a particular skill or field.
Vera Menchik: the forgotten chess phenom who beat male chess champions years before ‘Queen’s Gambit’ fictional Beth Harmon https://t.co/mPufrjVeSy
— Soraya Chemaly (@schemaly) November 29, 2020
Estee Ackerman, LI table tennis phenom, spreading the word – Newsday https://t.co/haU8mrHBfc pic.twitter.com/y8xs6Qg2AG
— TBL 🏓 TNS (@tbl_tns) January 6, 2018
The future looks bright with this 14 year-old piano phenom on the scene. https://t.co/oU0GVeKm44 #ClassicalMusic #HesSoLittle pic.twitter.com/gmv8HB1yQq
— Chamber Music Pittsburgh (@chambermusicpgh) May 11, 2018
Try using phenom!
Is phenom used correctly in the following sentence?
The 10-year-old violin phenom displays an astounding ability.
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