WordValeepiphany
a character's sudden moment of profound insight
In more detail
1. (noun) a sudden realization or discovery of something important
2. (noun) a Christian festival on January 6 celebrating the visit of the wise men to Jesus
Examples
- 1. She had an epiphany about her career when she realized she wanted to help people.
- 2. Many churches celebrate Epiphany with special services in early January.
How to use epiphany
Epiphany commonly refers to a sudden, often profound understanding or realization about something important, used in both personal and intellectual contexts. In religious contexts, it specifically denotes the Christian festival commemorating the Magi's visit to Jesus on January 6. The secular usage suggests something more dramatic and meaningful than a simple realization or thought.
Common phrases
- have an epiphany
- sudden epiphany
- spiritual epiphany
- moment of epiphany
- religious epiphany
Synonyms
revelation · insight · awakening · breakthrough · realization
Word family
epiphanic
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'epiphany' to describe any small insight or realization, when the word typically suggests something more significant, transformative, or striking.
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