prevalent

[ prev-uh-luhnt ]
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adjective
  1. widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.

  2. having the superiority or ascendancy.

  1. Archaic. effectual or efficacious.

Origin of prevalent

1
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”; see prevail

Other words for prevalent

Opposites for prevalent

Other words from prevalent

  • prev·a·lence, prev·a·lent·ness, noun
  • prev·a·lent·ly, adverb
  • non·prev·a·lent, adjective
  • non·prev·a·lent·ly, adverb
  • un·prev·a·lent, adjective
  • un·prev·a·lent·ly, adverb

Words Nearby prevalent

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How to use prevalent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prevalent

prevalent

/ (ˈprɛvələnt) /


adjective
  1. widespread or current

  2. superior in force or power; predominant

Origin of prevalent

1
C16 (in the sense: powerful): from Latin praevalens very strong, from praevalēre: see prevail

Derived forms of prevalent

  • prevalence or prevalentness, noun
  • prevalently, adverb

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