Dominant: meaning, definitions and examples

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dominant

[ˈdɒmɪnənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

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. The dominant team in the league has won every game this season. Tall buildings are dominant in the city's skyline.
controlling	Use 'controlling' to describe a person or behavior that seeks to manipulate or dictate the actions of others, often with negative connotations. Her controlling nature made it difficult for others to express their opinions. He has a controlling attitude towards his employees.
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. His commanding voice filled the room and quieted the crowd. She held a commanding position in the company.
prevailing	Use 'prevailing' when describing something that is widespread, commonly observed, or generally accepted in a certain context. The prevailing opinion is that climate change is a serious issue. She adapted well to the prevailing cultural norms in her new country.
domineering	Use 'domineering' to describe someone who asserts their will over others in a dominating manner, often perceived negatively. His domineering boss made unreasonable demands. She has a domineering personality, often overwhelming those around her.

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.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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. He has a dominant personality that often overshadows others in meetings. The dominant species in this ecosystem is the lion.
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. This kind of practice is prevalent among young professionals. Obesity has become prevalent in many developed countries.
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. The overriding concern was the safety of the passengers. Her overriding goal is to complete the project on time.
ruling	Typically used in legal, political, or authoritative contexts to describe someone or something that has official control or authority. The ruling party has been in power for over a decade. The court's ruling favored the defendant.

Examples of usage

The gene for brown eyes is dominant over the gene for blue eyes.
In Mendelian genetics, dominant traits mask recessive traits.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

Biology

In genetics, a dominant allele can mask the expression of a recessive allele in an organism’s 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.

Translations

Translations of the word "dominant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dominante

🇮🇳 प्रमुख

🇩🇪 dominant

🇮🇩 dominan

🇺🇦 домінантний

🇵🇱 dominujący

🇯🇵 支配的

🇫🇷 dominant

🇪🇸 dominante

🇹🇷 baskın

🇰🇷 지배적인

🇸🇦 مهيمن

🇨🇿 dominantní

🇸🇰 dominantný

🇨🇳 占主导地位的

🇸🇮 dominanten

🇮🇸 ráðandi

🇰🇿 үстем

🇬🇪 დომინანტური

🇦🇿 üstün

🇲🇽 dominante

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,965, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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