phenomenally
gb/fənˈɑmənəli/ us/fənˈɑmənəli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
to an extremely great degree
Very, very much; extremely.
Usage pattern:
phenomenally + [adjective/adverb]; [someone/something] does phenomenally (well)
Common mistake:
Often used to intensify positive adjectives (phenomenally good/successful), but it can also intensify negatives (phenomenally expensive).
Synonyms
exceptionally (More neutral and slightly more formal.)
|
extraordinarily (Emphasizes how unusual the degree is.)
|
remarkably (Suggests the degree is worth noticing.)
Antonyms
ordinarily (At a normal or usual level, without emphasis.)
|
slightly (Only to a small degree.)
Collocations
phenomenally successful
|phenomenally good
|phenomenally well
|phenomenally popular
|phenomenally talented
|phenomenally rich
|phenomenally expensive
|phenomenally fast
|phenomenally hard
|phenomenally bad
Themes
evaluation
|intensifiers
Examples
- The new product sold phenomenally well in its first month.
- She’s phenomenally talented and learns new languages quickly.
- It’s a beautiful apartment, but it’s phenomenally expensive.
Learner examples
- The movie was phenomenally good.
- He did phenomenally well on the test.
adverb
technical
C2
relation
2
in terms of experience or appearance
Based on what is directly seen or experienced.
Usage pattern:
phenomenally, [clause]; [thing] appears phenomenally + [adjective]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this technical sense with the common intensifier meaning ('extremely').
Synonyms
experientially (Focuses specifically on subjective experience.)
|
observationally (Focuses on what can be observed from the outside.)
Antonyms
theoretically (Based on theory or explanation rather than direct experience.)
|
conceptually (Based on concepts or abstract reasoning rather than appearance.)
Collocations
phenomenally conscious
|phenomenally identical
|phenomenally distinct
|appear phenomenally
|phenomenally ascribed
Themes
philosophy
|psychology
|academia
Examples
- The two conditions are phenomenally similar, even though their causes differ.
- Phenomenally, the sound seems to come from the left, although the speaker is behind you.
- The painting changes phenomenally as you move around it.
Learner examples
- Phenomenally, the two colors look the same.
Grammar
Dictionary form
phenomenally
IPA
GB/fənˈɑmənəli/
US/fənˈɑmənəli/
Syllables & stress
phe - nom - en - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (nom)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: phenomenally
- Plural: phenomenallies
Word family
Forms
phenomenallies
noun
Core family
phenomenon
noun B2
phenomenal
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
phenomenology
noun C2
phenomenological
adjective
Expressions
phenomenally expensive
1/fənˈɑmənəli ɪkspˈɛnsɪv/
fixed phrase
extremely expensive
Costing a lot of money (much more than usual).
Examples
- Taxis are phenomenally expensive in that city.
- The repairs were phenomenally expensive for such a small problem.
phenomenally good
1/fənˈɑmənəli ɡˈʊd/
fixed phrase
extremely good
Very, very good.
Examples
- The coffee here is phenomenally good.
- She’s phenomenally good at explaining difficult ideas.
phenomenally popular
1/fənˈɑmənəli pˈɑpjəlɚ/
fixed phrase
extremely popular
Liked by a very large number of people.
Examples
- The series is phenomenally popular with teenagers.
- This style of bread became phenomenally popular during the pandemic.
phenomenally successful
1/fənˈɑmənəli səksˈɛsfəl/
fixed phrase
extremely successful
Very, very successful.
Examples
- The app was phenomenally successful after the first update.
- Her first novel became phenomenally successful overseas.
phenomenally well
1/fənˈɑmənəli wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
extremely well
With very great success.
Examples
- The team did phenomenally well under pressure.
- He’s been doing phenomenally well in his new role.