prevalent
Americanadjective
-
widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
- Synonyms:
- common, far-reaching
-
having the superiority or ascendancy.
-
Archaic. effectual or efficacious.
adjective
-
widespread or current
-
superior in force or power; predominant
Usage
What are other ways to say prevalent?
Something that is prevalent is widespread or in general use or acceptance. How is this adjective different from prevailing and current? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- nonprevalent adjective
- nonprevalently adverb
- prevalence noun
- prevalently adverb
- prevalentness noun
- unprevalent adjective
- unprevalently adverb
Etymology
Origin of prevalent
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin praevalent-, stem of praevalēns “having superior force,” present participle of praevalēre “to be more able, have superior force”; prevail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its socialized health system recommends fewer vaccines than most countries in the West because some diseases like hepatitis B are less prevalent there.
“The vaccines that are recommended in any particular country reflect the diseases that are prevalent in that country,” said Dr. Kelly Gebo, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
From Los Angeles Times
They also point to epidemiological differences, such as the fact that different strains of meningococcal meningitis are more prevalent in Europe than in the U.S.
In Caracas, confusion about the future was a prevalent sentiment, among both critics and supporters of Maduro.
From Los Angeles Times
There is the occasional sighting of new construction, but far more prevalent is “For Sale” signs that have seemingly been there for months.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
