First Known Use: 1576
Dictionary
prevalent
adjective prev·a·lent \ˈpre-və-lənt, ˈprev-lənt\
: accepted, done, or happening often or over a large area at a particular time : common or widespread
Full Definition of PREVALENT
1
archaic : powerful
2
: being in ascendancy : dominant
3
: generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored : widespread
— prevalent noun
— prev·a·lent·ly adverb
See prevalent defined for English-language learners
See prevalent defined for kids
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Examples of PREVALENT
- Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries. —John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
- Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe. —Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
- So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves. —Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
- Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; … —Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987
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Origin of PREVALENT
Latin praevalent-, praevalens very powerful, from present participle of praevalēre
Related to PREVALENT
- Synonyms
- conventional, customary, going, popular, prevailing, current, standard, stock, usual
- Antonyms
- nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual
PREVALENTLY Defined for Kids
prevalent
adjective prev·a·lent \ˈpre-və-lənt\
Definition of PREVALENT for Kids
: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area <prevalent beliefs>
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