Prevalent: meaning, definitions and examples

🌍

Add to dictionary

prevalent

[ˈprɛvələnt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in society

Widespread in a particular area at a particular time. Prevalent refers to something that is common or widespread in a particular society or area.

Synonyms

common, rampant, widespread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prevalent	Used to describe something that is widespread in a particular area or among a particular group of people. Smoking is prevalent among teenagers in this region. Prevalent social norms often dictate behavior in the community.
common	Used to describe something that occurs frequently or is shared by many people or things. It is common to see people walking their dogs in the park. Common courtesy should be practiced by everyone.
widespread	Used to describe something that is found or occurs over a large area or among many people. The new policy received widespread approval. Internet access is now widespread, even in rural areas.
rampant	Used to describe something negative or harmful that is spreading quickly and uncontrollably. Rumors about the scandal ran rampant within the office. Corruption was rampant in the government, causing widespread discontent.

Examples of usage

Obesity is prevalent in Western countries.
Violence is prevalent in some urban areas.
The flu virus is prevalent during the winter months.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in research

Existing or most commonly encountered in a particular field of study. Prevalent refers to something that is dominant or most commonly found in a specific research area.

Synonyms

dominant, most common, predominant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
prevalent	Used to describe something that is widely existent or generally accepted in a particular time or place. Corruption is prevalent in many developing countries Such beliefs are prevalent among older generations
dominant	Used to indicate something that is the most powerful, important, or influential in a particular context or group. English has become the dominant language in the business world The company holds a dominant position in the tech industry
most common	Used to describe something that appears more frequently than anything else in a particular context or among a group. The flu is the most common illness during the winter months Blue is the most common color for car interiors
predominant	Used to describe something that is the most noticeable or important among a group, suggesting that it surpasses others in significance or prevalence. Agriculture is the predominant industry in rural areas The predominant opinion among experts is that climate change is acceleration

Examples of usage

This theory is prevalent in psychology research.
Prevalent themes in literature often reflect societal issues.
Prevalent methodologies in biology research have evolved over time.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin word 'praevalens', meaning 'being strong, powerful, or vigorous'.
It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally linked to strength in a social context.
In earlier usage, it frequently described ideas or beliefs that were dominant in society.

Society

In modern contexts, prevalent issues like pollution and climate change affect global societies significantly.
Awareness of mental health is more prevalent today than in previous decades, impacting public discourse.
Social media trends often spread prevalent messages rapidly across different cultures.

Science

In epidemiology, the prevalence of a disease refers to how widespread it is within a given population.
Certain species in ecology can be considered prevalent if they dominate a specific habitat or ecosystem.
Prevalent theories often shape research methods and funding priorities in scientific studies.

Pop Culture

In the early 2000s, the prevalence of reality TV reshaped entertainment, influencing many cultural trends.
Fashion trends can become prevalent quickly, with styles shifting from niche to mainstream in just seasons.
Gaming culture has become prevalent among younger demographics, influencing social and educational discussions.

Literature

The theme of prevalent societal issues such as injustice and inequality is often explored in classic literature.
In poetry, prevalent emotions can reflect the current state of society and resonate with readers universally.
Many authors depict prevalent motifs in their works, showcasing cultural concerns that mirror their times.

Translations

Translations of the word "prevalent" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prevalente

🇮🇳 प्रचलित

🇩🇪 verbreitet

🇮🇩 umum

🇺🇦 поширений

🇵🇱 powszechny

🇯🇵 一般的

🇫🇷 répandu

🇪🇸 prevalente

🇹🇷 yaygın

🇰🇷 널리 퍼진

🇸🇦 سائد

🇨🇿 rozšířený

🇸🇰 rozšírený

🇨🇳 普遍的

🇸🇮 razširjen

🇮🇸 útbreiddur

🇰🇿 кең таралған

🇬🇪 გავრცელებული

🇦🇿 geniş yayılmış

🇲🇽 prevalente

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,088 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6085 beneficiaries
6086 spell
6087 enjoying
6088 prevalent
6089 stained
6090 practiced
6091 borrow
...