phenom
Hotshot, in brief
A phenom is someone who displays exceptional talent or ability, especially at a young age.
The word is informal, clipped from phenomenon, and appears most often in sports contexts: The sixteen-year-old pitching phenom signed with the Yankees.
A phenom attracts attention precisely because their skill seems to exceed what's expected for their experience level.
Remarkably talented youngster
- whiz kidExceptionally talented youngster
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
- rising starEmerging person of promise
wonderkid · boy wonder · young gun · breakout star · rookie sensation · natural talent · standout · hotshot
Perceived stimulus or phenomenon
- marvelAstonishing thing or feeling
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- standoutExceptional person or thing
- extraordinaryBeyond what's typical
exceptional · remarkable · incredible · amazing · once-in-a-lifetime · game-changer · trailblazer · groundbreaking
Potential client or opportunity
- draft pickAthlete chosen by team
- recruitNew member sought
- varsityPrimary school squad
- all-starExceptionally talented performer
starter · signing · transfer · scouting report · highlight reel · stat line · five-star · combine
Sudden escape from restraint
- debutFirst public appearance
- viralSpreading quickly online
- chart-toppingRanking first in sales
- triple threatPerformer with three skills
headliner · scene-stealer · showstopper · crowd favorite · box office · YouTube sensation · star power
wunderkind
Remarkably talented youngster
- whiz kidExceptionally talented youngster
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- sensationPerceived stimulus or phenomenon
rising star · wonderkid · boy wonder · young gun · breakout star · rookie sensation · natural talent · standout · hotshot · ingenue
sensation
Perceived stimulus or phenomenon
extraordinary · exceptional · remarkable · incredible · amazing · once-in-a-lifetime · game-changer · trailblazer · groundbreaking · record-breaking
prospect
Potential client or opportunity
- draft pickAthlete chosen by team
- recruitNew member sought
- varsityPrimary school squad
all-star · starter · signing · transfer · scouting report · highlight reel · stat line · five-star · combine · showcase
breakout
Sudden escape from restraint
- debutFirst public appearance
- viralSpreading quickly online
- chart-toppingRanking first in sales
triple threat · headliner · scene-stealer · showstopper · crowd favorite · box office · YouTube sensation · star power
- athletesathlete, Olympian, champion, swimmers, runner
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- achieversachiever, high achiever, overachiever, go-getter, striver
- elite performerssuperstar, virtuoso, all-star, MVP, maestro
- geniusesgenius, brainiac, prodigy, Einstein, intellect
- Prodigieschild prodigy, prodigy, wunderkind, whiz kid, boy wonder
phenomveteran
Experienced former soldier
old hand · seasoned pro · old-timer · journeyman · elder statesman
phenomhas-been
Former notable, now irrelevant
flameout · bust · fading star · disappointment · never-was
- mysterious phenomenaUnexplained strange events
- natural phenomenonOccurrence not human-caused
- supernatural phenomenaOccurrences beyond natural law
- unexplained phenomenaOccurrences without evident causes
- natural phenomenaOccurrences without human cause
- cultural phenomenonWidely recognized societal trend
phenomenal, phenomenon, phenomena, phenomenally, phenomenology, phenoms