epiphany

Everyday

1. (church) The Epiphany is a Christian feast that remembers the wise men (the Magi) visiting the baby Jesus; it falls twelve days after Christmas. tree →
2. An epiphany is a sudden moment when you understand something important. tree →
3. (formal) A sudden appearance or showing of something. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education the Epiphany marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas; in some countries children get presents then. In stories and in writing about learning, a character «has an epiphany» when they suddenly see the truth. Phrases: «the feast of the Epiphany», «have an epiphany», «a sudden epiphany».

Examples

• Christians celebrate the Epiphany, when the wise men brought gifts to Jesus. tree →
• We take down the Christmas decorations at the Epiphany. tree →
• In Spain, children get presents at the Epiphany. tree →
• I had an epiphany: the answer was right in front of me! tree →
• The scientist had an epiphany in the bath. tree →
• After reading the letter, the girl had an epiphany about her friend. tree →
• The Epiphany is sometimes called Twelfth Night or Three Kings' Day. tree →

Note

Capital E for the feast. Plural «epiphanies». Stress: e-PIPH-a-ny. The «ph» sounds like «f». Related: «a eureka moment» means much the same as an epiphany.