EPIPHANY Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

epiphany

[ih-pif-uh-nee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

epiphanies

(initial capital letter)��a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
an appearance or manifestation, especially of a deity.
a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

epiphany

/ ˌɛpɪˈfænɪk, ɪˈ��ɪ��ə��ɪ /

noun

the manifestation of a supernatural or divine reality
any moment of great or sudden revelation

Epiphany

/ ɪˈ��ɪ��ə��ɪ /

noun

a Christian festival held on Jan 6, commemorating, in the Western Church, the manifestation of Christ to the Magi and, in the Eastern Church, the baptism of Christ

Epiphany

A festival in Christianity celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus. Epiphany means “a showing forth” — in this case a showing forth of Jesus to the Gentiles.

Discover More

Other 51�Թ� Forms

epiphanic adjective
epiphanous adjective

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of epiphany¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English epiphanie, from Late Latin ��辱��󲹲�ī��, from Late Greek ��辱��á�Ա𾱲�, from Greek: “apparition,” equivalent to epi- epi- ( def. ) + phan- (stem of ��í�Ա𾱲� “to appear”) + -eia -y ³ ( def. )

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of epiphany¹

C17: via Church Latin from Greek epiphaneia an appearing, from _epi- + phainein to show

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

By the time the film gets around to revealing its more human side — epiphanies gained, lessons learned — it’s too little, too late.

From

There’s no culinary epiphany waiting in the wings.

From

In 2019, he predicted there would be an "epiphany" among Republicans once Trump was out of the White House, ushering in a new era of bipartisanship.

From

For Mamdani, Bay Ridge, the site of his political epiphany, is a case study for expanding his support in places where the historical appetite for left-wing politics is limited.

From

“The unflappable Pointer sails above the general mayhem with a ladylike aplomb that makes her subsequent emotional epiphany all the more moving,” The Times wrote about Pointer’s performance in that show.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

flash��
insight��
inspiration��
realization��
vision��

Discover More

When To Use

What is the Feast of the Epiphany?

The Feast of the Epiphany (often simply called Epiphany) is a Christian holiday. In the Western Church, it celebrates the revelation of Jesus as the Christ (the prophesied Messiah or Savior) to the Magi (popularly known as the three wise men) and to all Gentiles (non-Jews).In the Eastern Church, the Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus and the revelation of his divinity.The Feast of the Epiphany is considered the twelfth and final day of the Christmas celebration.For this reason, it is sometimes called Twelfth Day.Many Christians observe the Epiphany as the end of the Christmas season and it is traditional to leave up Christmas decorations until this day.In some places, the Feast of the Epiphany is considered to mark the start of Carnival season—the period of feasting and merriment before Lent.

epiphanize epiphenomenalism

Browse