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

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

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

At a news conference to announce the findings, Mr Dufresne said the hugely popular short-video platform collects "vast" amounts of information from its users, including children.

From BBC

Dickie Bird obituary: 'One of cricket's greatest servants and popular characters'

From BBC

“Once we actually got a chance to become popular, especially after ‘Common People’ had been a hit … then we had to record ‘Different Class’ very quickly to kind of capitalize on that.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Conservatives were voted out decisively in 2024, after 14 years in power, and lack strong popular support at the moment.

From Salon

"She isn't a small-time actor. She has a choice of script, she can read the script! Who can force a popular star to do this?" another wrote.

From BBC

Related Words

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