Dominant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ช
dominant
[หdษmษชnษnt ]
Definitions
behavior
exercising power, control, or influence over others; commanding; prevailing
Synonyms
commanding, controlling, domineering, prevailing.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dominant |
Use 'dominant' when describing something that is most powerful or influential in a situation, context, or hierarchy without negative connotations.
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| controlling |
Use 'controlling' to describe a person or behavior that seeks to manipulate or dictate the actions of others, often with negative connotations.
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| commanding |
Use 'commanding' when describing someone who has a strong presence and instantly attracts attention or exudes authority, usually in a positive or neutral manner.
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| prevailing |
Use 'prevailing' when describing something that is widespread, commonly observed, or generally accepted in a certain context.
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| domineering |
Use 'domineering' to describe someone who asserts their will over others in a dominating manner, often perceived negatively.
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Examples of usage
- She has a dominant personality in the office.
- The dominant player on the team led them to victory.
- His dominant presence made everyone listen to him.
genetics
a genetic variant that produces the same phenotypic effect in heterozygotes as in homozygotes
Synonyms
overriding, prevalent, ruling.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| dominant |
Commonly applied to describe something that has the most influence or control over others within a particular group or setting. It can refer to physical dominance, psychological influence, or prevailing trends.
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| prevalent |
Applies to something widespread or commonly found in a particular area, time, or among a group of people. It often refers to trends, diseases, or behaviors.
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| overriding |
Used when emphasizing the most important aspect or factor that takes priority over others. It suggests something that is more significant and must be considered above all else.
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| ruling |
Typically used in legal, political, or authoritative contexts to describe someone or something that has official control or authority.
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Examples of usage
- The gene for brown eyes is dominant over the gene for blue eyes.
- In Mendelian genetics, dominant traits mask recessive traits.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Biology
- In genetics, a dominant allele can mask the expression of a recessive allele in an organismโs traits.
- Certain species exhibit dominant behavior in social structures, such as wolves where the alpha is the dominant leader.
Psychology
- People often display dominant behavior in social settings, influencing others' decisions and actions.
- Dominance hierarchies can impact interpersonal relationships, affecting everything from workplace dynamics to friendships.
Sociology
- Social dominance theory explains how group hierarchies arise and maintain power differences among groups of people.
- In cultures, certain social groups may be considered dominant, influencing norms, values, and politics.
Pop Culture
- In many movies, the dominant character is typically portrayed as a leader or hero, often overcoming adversities.
- Songs often reflect themes of dominance through lyrics about power, confidence, and leadership.
Origin of 'dominant'
Main points about word origin
- Derived from the Latin word 'dominans,' which means 'ruling' or 'governing.'
- Related to the word 'dominus,' which translates to 'lord' in Latin, emphasizing control and power.
The word 'dominant' comes from the Latin word 'dominans', present participle of 'dominari', which means 'to rule'. The term has been used in various contexts throughout history, from describing powerful rulers to dominant genes in genetics. Over time, 'dominant' has become a common term to signify power, control, or influence over others.