popular

[pop-yuh-ler]

adjective

1. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general.

   a popular preacher.

   Synonyms: bookmark

2. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by an acquaintance or acquaintances.

   He's not very popular with me just now.

3. of, relating to, or representing the people, especially the common people.

   popular discontent.

4. of the people as a whole, especially of all citizens of a nation or state qualified to participate in an election.

   popular suffrage; the popular vote; popular representation.

5. prevailing among the people generally.

   a popular superstition.

   Synonyms: current, common

6. suited to or intended for the general masses of people.

   popular music.

7. adapted to the ordinary intelligence or taste.

   popular lectures on science.

8. suited to the means of ordinary people; not expensive.

   popular prices on all tickets.

popular

/ ˈpɒpjʊlə, ˌpɒpjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. appealing to the general public; widely favoured or admired

2. favoured by an individual or limited group

   I'm not very popular with her

3. connected with, representing, or prevailing among the general public; common

   popular discontent

4. appealing to or comprehensible to the layman

   a popular lecture on physics

noun

1. Also shortened to: pops. (usually plural) cheap newspapers with mass circulation; the popular press

Other Word Forms

• antipopular adjective
• nonpopular adjective
• overpopular adjective
• pseudopopular adjective
• quasi-popular adjective
• semipopular adjective
• popularity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of popular¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English populer, from Latin populāris; people, -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of popular¹

C15: from Latin populāris belonging to the people, democratic, from populus people

Synonym Study

See general.

Example Sentences

It is relevant to point out that Smith is also a magician, a member of the Magic Castle, home itself to a popular séance.

From Los Angeles Times

The protests came amid popular anger and growing weariness with a family-run regime that has been in power for six decades.

From BBC

But Asprilla was an immensely popular figure who Albert said was "one of us from day one".

From BBC

The outrage has galvanised the people behind some of the most popular social media accounts.

From BBC

Adroit in the green arts of film and popular music, L.A. is only now beginning to cultivate opera.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attractive 
• beloved 
• famous 
• fashionable 
• favored 
• prominent 
• suitable 
• trendy