phoenix
Definition
A mythical bird from ancient legend, associated with fire, that cyclically regenerates or is reborn from its own ashes after living for several centuries.
The capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Arizona, known for its desert climate and sprawling suburbs.
Figuratively, a person or thing that has made a spectacular recovery after apparent destruction or failure.
Examples
After his band broke up in a blaze of bad reviews, the lead singer rose like a phoenix with a solo career fueled by spite and autotune.
The phoenix on Arizona's license plates mocks tourists who complain about the 110-degree heat while driving convertibles.
She quit her soul-crushing job, traveled the world, and returned a phoenix—now freelancing from a hammock in Bali.
That old pickup truck was totaled in the crash, but the mechanic turned it into a phoenix with duct tape and sheer denial.