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 phenomena is an optical illusion of sorts that occurs as the result of the brain comparing the moon to the size of trees and buildings seen in the same view of the sky. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Spain’s Basque Country has made the list as one of the few places on land where phenomena enthusiasts should be able to see the total solar eclipse due next August 12. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Built in 1867 by wealthy businessman William Culbertson, the home has become infamous for unexplained phenomena. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025

Because of the way the phenomena appears to those using a telescope, they're referred to as Einstein Rings. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for phenomena

• nomina