Dictionary.com

prevalent

[ prev-uh-luhnt ]
/ ˈprɛv ə lənt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for prevalent on Thesaurus.com
adjective
widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
having the superiority or ascendancy.
Archaic. effectual or efficacious.
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?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of prevalent

1570–80; <Latin praevalent- (stem of praevalēns), present participle of praevalēre to prevail. See pre-, -valent

OTHER WORDS FROM prevalent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to prevalent

common, commonplace, everyday, extensive, frequent, new, normal, popular, prevailing, rampant, rife, ubiquitous, universal, compelling, dominant, powerful, predominant, successful, accustomed, current

How to use prevalent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prevalent

prevalent
/ (ˈprɛvələnt) /
adjective
widespread or current
superior in force or power; predominant

Derived forms of prevalent

prevalence or prevalentness, nounprevalently, adverb

Word Origin for prevalent

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