theophany: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Formal, Academic, Theological, Literary
Quick answer
What does “theophany” mean?
A visible manifestation of a deity to a human being.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A visible manifestation of a deity to a human being.
A personal encounter or direct experience of the divine presence, often in religious, mystical, or literary contexts; a moment of divine revelation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling, pronunciation, or grammatical differences. Usage is identical in theological and academic contexts.
Connotations
Solely a technical/theological term with no divergent cultural connotations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialised discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “theophany” in a Sentence
The [noun] describes a theophany.[Subject] experienced a theophany.The theophany at [place] was...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “theophany” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable; 'theophanise' is non-standard.]
American English
- [Not applicable; 'theophanize' is non-standard.]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverb form.]
American English
- [Not applicable; no standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- The theophanic account in Exodus is central to the tradition.
- He analysed the text's theophanic elements.
American English
- The theophanic narrative in the scripture is pivotal.
- She focused on the story's theophanic characteristics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, theology, literature, and comparative religion to analyse narratives of divine encounter.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in systematic theology and biblical exegesis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “theophany”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “theophany”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “theophany”
- Confusing with 'epiphany' (which can be a personal realisation).
- Using it to mean any profound thought or idea.
- Pronouncing the 'ph' as /f/ correctly, not as /p/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A theophany is specifically a manifestation of a god or deity to a person. An epiphany is a broader term for a sudden, profound realisation or insight, which may or may not be religious.
It is almost exclusively a religious/theological term. Using it metaphorically (e.g., 'the theophany of spring') would be highly poetic and rare.
In theological analysis, it can be, if the dream is interpreted as a direct and authentic manifestation of the divine, as in some biblical stories. However, it typically implies a more direct, wakeful encounter.
In British English: /θi-ˈɒ-fə-ni/ (thee-OFF-uh-nee). In American English: /θi-ˈɑː-fə-ni/ (thee-AH-fuh-nee). Stress is on the second syllable.
A visible manifestation of a deity to a human being.
Theophany is usually formal, academic, theological, literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: THEO (God) + PHANY (appearing/showing), like 'epiphany' but specifically for God.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVINE PRESENCE IS A PERCEPTIBLE EVENT; REVELATION IS LIGHT/PRESENCE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a theophany?