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rife
[ rahyf ]
/ raɪf /
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adjective
of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; in widespread existence, activity, or use: Crime is rife in the slum areas of our cities.
current in speech or report: Rumors are rife that the government is in financial difficulty.
abundant, plentiful, or numerous.
abounding (usually followed by with).
OTHER WORDS FOR rife
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Origin of rife
before 1150; Middle English; Old English rīfe; cognate with Middle Dutch rijf abundant, Old Norse rīfr
OTHER WORDS FROM rife
rifely, adverbrifeness, nouno·ver·rife, adjectiveun·rife, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rife
rife , ripeWords nearby rife
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use rife in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rife
rife
/ (raɪf) /
adjective (postpositive)
of widespread occurrence; prevalent or currentrumour was rife in the village
very plentiful; abundant
(foll by with) abounding (in)a land rife with poverty
Derived forms of rife
rifely, adverbrifeness, nounWord Origin for rife
Old English rīfe; related to Old Norse rīfr generous, Middle Dutch rīve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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