This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
prevail
[ pri-veyl ]
/ prÉȘËveÉȘl /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object)
to be widespread or current; exist everywhere or generally: Silence prevailed along the funeral route.
to appear or occur as the more important or frequent feature or element; predominate: Green tints prevail in the upholstery.
to be or prove superior in strength, power, or influence (usually followed by over): They prevailed over their enemies in the battle.
to succeed; become dominant; win out: to wish that the right side might prevail.
to use persuasion or inducement successfully: He prevailed upon us to accompany him.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of prevail
historical usage of prevail
English prevail comes from the Middle French verb prĂ©valoir, prĂ©valer âto have the advantage, dominateâ and Latin praevalÄre âto have superior force, weight, or influence, to have the upper hand.â PraevalÄre is a compound verb formed from the prefix prae- meaning âbefore, in front, preeminentâ (as here) and valÄre âto be powerful, be strong, be strong enough.â
Nearly all of the Middle English spelling variants of Modern English prevail, e.g., prevailen, prevaile, provaile, have their -ai- spelling not from prĂ©valoir, but from Middle English availen âto be of use or advantageâ (Modern English avail ).
Nearly all of the Middle English spelling variants of Modern English prevail, e.g., prevailen, prevaile, provaile, have their -ai- spelling not from prĂ©valoir, but from Middle English availen âto be of use or advantageâ (Modern English avail ).
OTHER WORDS FROM prevail
pre·vail·er, nounWords nearby prevail
pretypify, pretzel, Pre-U, Preussen, prev., prevail, prevailing, prevailing westerlies, prevailing wind, prevail on, Préval
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prevail in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for prevail
prevail
/ (prÉȘËveÉȘl) /
verb (intr)
(often foll by over or against) to prove superior; gain masteryskill will prevail
to be or appear as the most important feature; be prevalent
to exist widely; be in force
(often foll by on or upon) to succeed in persuading or inducing
Derived forms of prevail
prevailer, nounWord Origin for prevail
C14: from Latin praevalÄre to be superior in strength, from prae beyond + valÄre to be strong
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012