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

Collapsing art, science, paranormal phenomena, and ritual, SORRAT expands Neihardt’s search for visionary truth via poetry and experimentation. —Shannon Taggart, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

The phenomena of bombogenesis is said to occur when a storm's central barometric pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

As remnants of the winter storm begin to thaw, unique weather phenomena, such as freezing fog, have appeared. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026

Yet almost all of the guides lead us back to two authoritative paragraphs in the The Handbook of Texas Online, which helps with the historical response to the phenomena. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phenomena

• nomina