phenomena

noun

phe·​nom·​e·​na fi-ˈnä-mə-nə 

-ˌnä

plural phenomenas

nonstandard

: phenomenon

Can phenomena be used as a singular?: Usage Guide

Phenomena has been in occasional use as a singular since the early 18th century, as has the plural phenomenas. Our evidence shows that singular phenomena is primarily a speech form used by poets, critics, and professors, among others, but one that sometimes turns up in edited prose.

Although it seemed like a fad a few years ago, Twitter has evolved into a phenomena with more than 200 million users …

—Myron P. Medcalf

It is etymologically no more irregular than stamina and agenda, but it has nowhere near the frequency of use that they have, and while they are standard, phenomena is still rather borderline.

Examples of phenomena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This work may shed light on curious cultural phenomena, like how people value their experience seeing the Mona Lisa after waiting for hours in crowds at the Louvre. —Piotr Winkielman, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025

But as humanity rapidly increases the number of objects propelled into space — more people are inadvertently witnessing the phenomena. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025

Minecraft, the building and creation game based on blocks, is one of the biggest gaming phenomena of the early 21st century. —Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Solar eclipse glasses are the most common form of protection used for viewing the celestial phenomena. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phenomena

• nomina