phenom

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɛ.nəm/, /ˈfiː.nɒm/
• Rhymes: -ɛnəm

Noun

phenom (plural phenoms)

1. Someone or something that is phenomenal, especially a young player in sports like baseball, American football, basketball, tennis, and golf.
   • 2017, Brandon Isleib, Playing for a Winner, page 77:

     Managed and shortstopped by George Wright and full of league stalwarts—Joe Start, Paul Hines, and Jim O'rourke—they also had 1-year-old phenom Monte Ward as primary moundsman (teams now generally used multiple pitchers).

2. One who is hip and fashionable.
   • 2013, Ytasha L. Womack, Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture, →ISBN, page 105:

     Jones is a pop-culture phenom whose bold antics, outlandish personality, and dazzling looks defied all norms.

Usage notes

• Often used sarcastically or in jest.

See also

• Thesaurus:child prodigy