prevalent

[prev-uh-luhnt]

adjective

1. widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.

   Synonyms: common, far-reaching
   Antonyms: rare, uncommon

2. having the superiority or ascendancy.

3. Archaic.,  effectual or efficacious.

prevalent

/ ˈprɛvələnt /

adjective

1. widespread or current

2. superior in force or power; predominant

Other Word Forms

• prevalence noun
• prevalentness noun
• prevalently adverb
• nonprevalent adjective
• nonprevalently adverb
• unprevalent adjective
• unprevalently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevalent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prevalent¹

C16 (in the sense: powerful): from Latin praevalens very strong, from praevalēre: see _prevail

Example Sentences

These attitudes and behaviors were prevalent for many decades after slavery ended, including in education.

Read more on Literature

The shift to AI has been especially prevalent in Texas, where today’s wildcatters are more interested in locking in electricity than discovering oil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Also, in the financial sector broadly, there’s a lot of interest in areas where AI is becoming much more prevalent.

Read more on Barron's

The latter refers to both the Vedanta spiritual practices he embraced decades ago and a prevalent need he sensed “for beauty in a world that wants to shut it out.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Each filled a hole; each supplied a missing insight, an attitude to risk which, if more prevalent, might have prevented the catastrophe.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• common 
• commonplace 
• everyday 
• extensive 
• frequent 
• new 
• normal 
• popular 
• prevailing 
• rampant 
• rife 
• ubiquitous 
• universal 

When To Use

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.