Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A phenomenon, especially a remarkable or outstanding person.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Someone or something that is phenomenal, especially a young player in sports like baseball, American football, basketball, tennis, and golf
  • noun One who is hip and fashionable

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From phenomenon ("remarkable occurrence") by shortening. First use in United States around 1890s.

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Examples

  • My corollary to this phenom is the plain-clothes adults trick or treating with an infant sleeping in a stroller - yeah, because the 4 month old will be digging into the laffy taffy any day soon.

    Archive 2005-10-01 Richard Nokes 2005

  • My corollary to this phenom is the plain-clothes adults trick or treating with an infant sleeping in a stroller - yeah, because the 4 month old will be digging into the laffy taffy any day soon.

    Halloween Rant Richard Nokes 2005

  • The 5-foot-7-inch, 150-pound rookie phenom is among the NFL leaders in kickoff and punt returns.

    Redskins report card Fred Bowen 2010

  • WR Marcus Lucas — A 6-4 prep phenom from the Kansas City area, Lucas figures to compete immediately for a job at MU's outside receiver positions.

    Around the Big12 Conference 2010

  • October 22, 2008 at 1: 33 am as Good as ghost walk was The rising phenom is hard to beat.

    New GHOST WALK Reviews – Brian Keene 2008

  • Well the quicksand phenom, is just about to take a new turn.

    Religious right leaning toward Democrats? 2008

  • Well, it may not be a word, but the third YouTube phenom is 'Chunky Pam' a full-figured white woman, who raps in defense of Jersey on YouTube.

    YouTube Jersey: Fame, Infamy and Nonfamy Dan 2007

  • Well, it may not be a word, but the third YouTube phenom is 'Chunky Pam' a full-figured white woman, who raps in defense of Jersey on YouTube.

    Archive 2007-08-01 Dan 2007

  • NEW YORK Sidney Crosby, the 17-year-old hockey phenom, is a household name in Canada.

    USATODAY.com - Can teenager Crosby repair NHL's sagging image? 2005

  • Columbus LW Rick Nash: Blue Jackets phenom is a budding, elite power forward with Cam Neely potential.

    USATODAY.com - At 22, Sabres' Miller busts goaltending curve 2003

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