phénomenal

Phénomenal is a French adjective meaning extraordinary, remarkable, or exceptional. In standard French the correct spelling is phénoménal, and it is used to describe things that stand out for their quality, scale, or impact, as in un succès phénoménal or une performance phénoménale.

Etymology and relation to other languages: The word is rooted in the noun phénomène (phenomenon) and shares its origin with the English term phenomenal. The adjective is formed by adding the suffix -al to the underlying noun concept, giving a descriptor of notable character or magnitude.

Spelling, usage, and branding notes: In formal French, accents are part of correct spelling, so phénoménal is preferred and non-accented variants are generally considered incorrect except in specific contexts such as branding or digital stylization. In English, the corresponding term is phenomenal, spelled without accents. Some brands or artistic works may use a stylized form like Phénomenal to convey a sense of wonder or distinction.

Typical contexts: The term is used to amplify nouns that denote size, success, talent, or impact. Examples include phrases such as une croissance phénoménale (phenomenal growth), un talent phénoménal (phenomenal talent), or une équipe phénoménale (a phenomenal team).

See also: Phenomenon, phenomenal, phénologie (related linguistic terms).