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 …
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Myron P. Medcalf
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
Getty Images/Ashley L Duffus What To Know Gallup's poll found that Americans are mostly skeptical about paranormal phenomena, but certain demographics are more likely to believe than others.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The incident was the first of four encounters with unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) that were reported a day later, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents obtained by the War Zone.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert In 19th-century Philadelphia, Alma Whitaker, the daughter of a wealthy quinine merchant, studies the phenomena of the natural world as a talented botanist.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 7 July 2025
Inspired by some real-life phenomena, Fliegauf shot his fictional story almost like a mockumentary.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
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Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The incident was the first of four encounters with unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) that were reported a day later, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents obtained by the War Zone.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert In 19th-century Philadelphia, Alma Whitaker, the daughter of a wealthy quinine merchant, studies the phenomena of the natural world as a talented botanist.
—Mia Barzilay Freund, Vogue, 7 July 2025
Inspired by some real-life phenomena, Fliegauf shot his fictional story almost like a mockumentary.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
Cite this Entry
“Phenomena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomena. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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