Phenom: meaning, definitions and examples

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phenom

 

[ ˈfi-nəm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in sports

A person who is outstandingly talented or admired, especially an up-and-coming star.

Synonyms

prodigy, whiz, wunderkind.

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Word Description / Examples
phenom

This term is typically used to describe someone who excels greatly in sports, entertainment, or other high-visibility fields. It often implies a certain amount of fame and media attention.

  • The young basketball player became a phenom after his incredible debut season.
  • She's the latest singing phenom taking the music industry by storm.
prodigy

This word is suited for describing a young person who shows exceptional skills or talents at an early age, particularly in academic, musical, or artistic fields.

  • At just six years old, she was recognized as a piano prodigy.
  • He was a mathematical prodigy, solving complex equations before he turned ten.
wunderkind

Borrowed from German, this term describes a child or young person who achieves great success at a very young age. It can be used in various fields, but it often has a more formal or sophisticated tone.

  • The tech world is always on the lookout for the next wunderkind to revolutionize the industry.
  • As a wunderkind in literature, he published his first novel at the age of 15.
whiz

Often used in a casual or informal setting, this word describes someone who is very skilled or talented in a specific area, particularly in technology or academics.

  • She's a whiz at coding and can solve any problem in minutes.
  • He's a math whiz, always the first to finish his assignments.

Examples of usage

  • He's a real phenom on the basketball court.
  • The young tennis phenom has been dominating the competition.
Context #2 | Noun

in music

A person who is exceptionally talented or successful in the field of music.

Synonyms

maestro, prodigy, virtuoso.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
phenom

This word is used to describe someone, often young, who is exceptionally talented or gifted in a particular field, and whose talent is evident from an early stage. This term is often used in sports, entertainment, or academia.

  • The 16-year-old tennis phenom amazed everyone by winning the grand slam
  • The young scientist is a phenom, already publishing groundbreaking research
virtuoso

This term is used to describe someone with exceptional skill in a particular artistic or musical endeavor. The term is often reserved for those who show superior technical skill and finesse. It can also be used more generally for someone exceptionally good at any activity.

  • The pianist is a true virtuoso, captivating the audience with her performance
  • His virtuoso guitar playing has earned him a huge following
maestro

Typically refers to a master in music, particularly a great conductor, composer, or a virtuoso performer. It is used as a sign of high respect and recognition of their skill and contribution to the music field.

  • Maestro Leonardo led the orchestra with great precision and passion
  • The maestro's latest composition received rave reviews from critics
prodigy

Describes a young person who is exceptionally talented, often associated with natural talent that is apparent from a very young age. This term can be used in various fields, not limited to music, sports, academia, or arts.

  • She is a math prodigy, solving complex equations before the age of ten
  • The young chess prodigy has already beaten several grandmasters

Examples of usage

  • The young violin phenom performed at the prestigious concert hall.
  • She's a phenom on the guitar, attracting fans from all over.

Translations

Translations of the word "phenom" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fenômeno

🇮🇳 असाधारण व्यक्ति

🇩🇪 Phänomen

🇮🇩 fenomena

🇺🇦 феномен

🇵🇱 fenomen

🇯🇵 現象 (genshō)

🇫🇷 phénomène

🇪🇸 fenómeno

🇹🇷 fenomen

🇰🇷 현상 (hyeonsang)

🇸🇦 ظاهرة (ẓāhira)

🇨🇿 fenomén

🇸🇰 fenomén

🇨🇳 现象 (xiànxiàng)

🇸🇮 fenomen

🇮🇸 fyrirbæri

🇰🇿 құбылыс

🇬🇪 ფენომენი (p'enomeni)

🇦🇿 fenomen

🇲🇽 fenómeno

Etymology

The term 'phenom' originated in the late 19th century as a shortened form of 'phenomenon.' It was first used in sports to describe exceptionally talented young athletes. Over time, the term has expanded to other fields like music and art to refer to individuals with exceptional talent or success at a young age.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,889, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.