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

Originally from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, Bones entered the world of drag seven years ago and is now a popular fixture in London's Soho scene.

Read more on BBC

The series quickly found a following among budget-conscious cooks, and became even more popular during the pandemic when the housebound masses had few options besides cooking at home.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Analysts say the company will need to keep pumping out popular shows and movies to keep subscribers coming back.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The jets are popular among the world’s airlines and are commonly used on international, long-haul flights.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Other popular members of this snub-nosed club include English bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs and Brussels griffons.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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