phenomenal
Definitions
Extraordinarily great, impressive or remarkable
非凡的，惊人的，了不起的
(philosophy/technical) Relating to phenomena; perceptible to the senses
（哲学/专业）现象的，可感知的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedphenomen (appearing thing) + -al (relating to) = 'relating to what appears.' Its original technical sense is 'perceptible to the senses.' Everyday English stretched it to 'extraordinary,' because something that truly shows itself stands out from everything around it.
Root phenom still carries 4 more wordsWhy It Means This
Two registers live in this word. Philosophers keep the literal sense — the phenomenal world is the world as it appears to us (Kant's term). But in ordinary speech 'phenomenal' became pure praise: a phenomenal performance, phenomenal growth. The bridge is the idea of standing out: what appears strikingly is, in casual English, simply amazing.
Usage Guide
In everyday English it's a strong, positive intensifier — phenomenal success/talent/growth. The technical 'perceptible to the senses' sense is restricted to philosophy and science. Stress: phe-NOM-e-nal.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The startup achieved phenomenal growth in just two years.
- 2.
She has a phenomenal memory for names and faces.
- 3.
Kant distinguished the phenomenal world from the noumenal.
- 4.
Their debut album was a phenomenal success.