manifestation
gb/mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən/ us/mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
clear sign or expression of something
A clear sign or example that shows a feeling, quality, or idea.
Usage pattern:
a manifestation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget the article and say *"is manifestation of"* instead of *"is a manifestation of"*. Another mistake is using it when a simpler word like "sign" would sound more natural in everyday speech.
Synonyms
sign (More general and common; can be weaker or less formal than 'manifestation'.)
|
expression (Focuses on how something is shown outwardly, especially feelings or ideas.)
|
indication (Slightly weaker and more tentative; suggests pointing toward something rather than clearly showing it.)
Antonyms
concealment (Focuses on hiding something instead of showing it clearly.)
|
suppression (Emphasizes holding back or controlling a feeling or quality so it does not appear.)
Collocations
a clear manifestation
|a visible manifestation
|a physical manifestation
|a manifestation of power
|a manifestation of love
|a manifestation of inequality
Themes
emotions
|society
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her patience is a remarkable manifestation of inner strength.
- The rising prices are a clear manifestation of the country’s economic problems.
- His sudden anger was a manifestation of long-held frustration.
- The artwork is a powerful manifestation of the artist’s political beliefs.
- These behaviors are a manifestation of deep cultural change.
Learner examples
- His smile was a manifestation of his joy.
- The dirty air is a manifestation of heavy traffic in the city.
- Her fear was a manifestation of the stress at work.
- The new law is a manifestation of public pressure.
- This habit is a manifestation of his perfectionism.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
symptom or sign of disease
A sign in the body that shows a disease or medical problem.
Usage pattern:
a manifestation of [disease/condition]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "manifestation" in medical contexts where "symptom" is more natural in everyday English. "Manifestation" is more common in medical writing than in casual speech.
Synonyms
symptom (More common in everyday medical talk; often used for what the patient feels.)
|
clinical sign (More technical; often used for what a doctor can observe or measure.)
Antonyms
remission (Describes a period when disease signs lessen or disappear, the opposite of having clear manifestations.)
Collocations
clinical manifestation
|early manifestation
|skin manifestations
|neurological manifestations
|common manifestations
|the first manifestation of
Themes
medicine
|science
|health
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Skin rashes are a common manifestation of the allergy.
- Cognitive decline is often the earliest manifestation of the disorder.
- The disease may have different clinical manifestations in children and adults.
- Shortness of breath can be a manifestation of heart failure.
- These neurological manifestations usually appear in the later stages of the illness.
Learner examples
- A cough can be a manifestation of lung disease.
- Headache is a common manifestation of this virus.
- The first manifestation of the illness was a high fever.
- Red spots on the skin were a manifestation of the infection.
- Pain in the chest is a serious manifestation and needs a doctor.
Noun
informal
C1
action
3
making desires real by intention
In self-help and spiritual talk, making your wishes become real by strongly focusing your mind on them.
Usage pattern:
manifestation of [desire/goal]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this self-help meaning is the same as the formal meaning of "manifestation" as a general sign. In spiritual contexts it often implies a special method (visualization, affirmations), not just any result or success.
Synonyms
realization (More general and neutral; does not include the idea of using spiritual or mental techniques.)
|
attraction (Used within the phrase "law of attraction"; narrower and strongly tied to a specific belief system.)
Antonyms
frustration (Highlights the feeling when wishes or goals do not become real.)
|
non-fulfillment (Formal term for a goal or desire not being achieved.)
Collocations
practice manifestation
|money manifestation
|love manifestation
|manifestation techniques
|manifestation journal
|successful manifestation
Themes
spirituality
|self-help
|psychology
|religion
|emotions
Examples
- She believes her new job was a manifestation of years of positive thinking.
- Online coaches sell courses that promise rapid money manifestation.
- He keeps a manifestation journal where he writes down everything he wants to attract into his life.
- For them, the relationship felt like a manifestation of their deepest dreams.
- The book explains manifestation as aligning your thoughts with your goals.
Learner examples
- She reads many books about manifestation and positive thinking.
- He says his success is a manifestation of his daily affirmations.
- They use manifestation to try to get more money and love.
- She writes her wishes in a manifestation journal every night.
- Some people do not believe in manifestation at all.
Noun
literary
C1
event
4
appearance of a ghost or spirit
When a ghost or spirit appears so that people can see or feel it.
Usage pattern:
a manifestation of [spirit/force]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is mostly used in stories, religion, or paranormal talk, not in everyday conversation.
Synonyms
apparition (More literary; almost always used for a ghostly or mysterious appearance.)
|
visitation (Often suggests a purposeful visit by a spirit or divine being.)
Antonyms
absence (Indicates that the spirit or force does not appear at all.)
Collocations
a ghostly manifestation
|a supernatural manifestation
|a spiritual manifestation
|a demonic manifestation
|strange manifestations
|a manifestation of evil
Themes
religion
|supernatural
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The villagers claimed the strange lights were a manifestation of the old spirit that guarded the forest.
- Every night, the same shadowy manifestation appeared at the end of the hallway.
- The priest was called to investigate what the family believed was a demonic manifestation.
- In the story, the ghost’s manifestation warns the hero of the coming danger.
- They filmed what they thought was a manifestation of a child’s ghost in the abandoned house.
Learner examples
- They say the cold wind was a manifestation of a ghost.
- People in the town fear any strange manifestation in the old castle.
- In the movie, a dark cloud is a manifestation of an evil spirit.
- The woman believes the voice she hears is a manifestation of her dead husband.
- The book tells of a bright light that is a manifestation of an angel.
Noun
formal
C1
event
5
public protest or demonstration
A big public meeting or march where people show that they are for or against something.
Usage pattern:
a manifestation against [something]
Common mistake:
Learners influenced by other languages may overuse "manifestation" for street protests. In everyday English, "protest" or "demonstration" is usually more natural.
Synonyms
demonstration (More common word in modern English for this kind of public event.)
|
protest (Very common; often sounds more emotional and confrontational.)
Antonyms
silence (Suggests people choose not to speak out or gather publicly.)
Collocations
a mass manifestation
|a peaceful manifestation
|a street manifestation
|a manifestation against the government
|a workers’ manifestation
|organize a manifestation
Themes
politics
|society
|law
|communication
Examples
- Thousands joined a mass manifestation in the capital to demand free elections.
- The city banned any manifestation near the government buildings during the summit.
- A peaceful manifestation was held in support of climate action.
- Student groups are planning a joint manifestation against the new education law.
- Police monitored the manifestation but reported no major incidents.
Learner examples
- Many people joined a manifestation against the war.
- The workers planned a manifestation in front of the factory.
- The town was quiet after the big manifestation yesterday.
- She made a sign to carry at the manifestation.
- The government was afraid of another large manifestation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
manifestation
IPA
GB/mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən/
US/mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
mani - fest - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: manifestation
- Plural: manifestation, manifestations
Word family
Forms
manifestations
noun
Core family
manifest
verb B2
Related words
manifestly
adverb C1
manifesto
noun B2
Expressions
a clear manifestation of
1/ə klˈɪɹ mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
very obvious sign of something
used to say that something is a very strong and easy-to-see sign of another thing
Examples
- The long waiting lists are a clear manifestation of the crisis in the health system.
- His refusal to listen was a clear manifestation of his arrogance.
physical manifestation of
1/fˈɪzɪkəl mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
bodily or visible sign of something
used when something in the body or in the real world clearly shows an inner feeling, idea, or medical problem
Examples
- Sweating is a physical manifestation of anxiety for many people.
- The damaged buildings are a physical manifestation of years of conflict.
the first manifestation of
1/ðə fˈɚst mˌænɪfɛstˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
earliest sign something has begun
used to talk about the first clear sign that a situation, feeling, or illness has started
Examples
- The sudden drop in sales was the first manifestation of deeper financial problems.
- A mild cough was the first manifestation of the disease.