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Synonyms

prevalent

American  
[prev-uh-luhnt] / ˈprɛv ə lənt /

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 British  
/ ˈprɛvələnt /

adjective

  1. widespread or current

  2. superior in force or power; predominant

"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

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

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.