phenomenological
/fɪˌnɒm.ɪ.nəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Related to phenomenology, the study of how people experience things. It describes an approach that focuses on lived experience, not only facts or theories.
- She used a phenomenological approach in her research.
- The study looks at students' lived experience.
- This is a phenomenological description of pain.
Adinary Nuance
Use phenomenological when you want to stress direct experience or how something appears to a person. It is more technical and philosophical than practical or empirical. Writers often choose it in academic work, especially in psychology, sociology, and philosophy.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- hiện tượng học
- Spanish
- fenomenológico
- Chinese
- 现象学的
- Japanese
- 現象学的な
- Korean
- 현상학의
Etymology
From German and French philosophical terms based on Greek phainomenon, meaning “appearance” or “thing seen.” It entered English in the 19th and 20th centuries in philosophy and research writing.
Common phrases
phenomenological approachphenomenological studyphenomenological analysisphenomenological perspective
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is phenomenological a common word?
- No, it is mostly used in academic writing and research.
- What is the difference between phenomenological and practical?
- Phenomenological focuses on lived experience. Practical focuses on what works in real life.
- Can I use phenomenological in everyday speech?
- You can, but it may sound formal or academic.
- What noun comes from phenomenological?
- The main noun is phenomenology.