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

However, the findings of the new study suggest that the pyroclastic flows were not the first deadly phenomena that Vesuvius threw at Herculaneum—but such were instead preceded by a super-heated and short-lived ash cloud. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Weather phenomena, absurd circumstances, events, human gestures, and other fragments of life weave together the spectrum of an urban ecosystem. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025

And while music therapy is now a common practice in nursing homes, little research has actually zoomed in on the neural mechanisms behind the phenomena, or in particular, what kinds of music could optimize the potential brain benefits. —New Atlas, 19 Feb. 2025

In the scientific type, sometimes strange, unexplained phenomena comes to light. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phenomena

• nomina