Rife: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
rife
[ raษชf ]
general use
Rife means widespread or abundant, especially in a negative sense. It is often used to describe something undesirable that exists in large quantities, such as disease, crime, or corruption.
Synonyms
common, prevalent, ubiquitous, widespread.
Examples of usage
- The city was rife with crime last year.
- Rumors about the scandal were rife among the employees.
- The countryside was rife with tourists during the summer.
- Corruption is rife in many institutions.
- The region has been rife with political unrest.
Translations
Translations of the word "rife" in other languages:
๐ต๐น abundante
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเฅเคฐเคเฅเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช reichlich
๐ฎ๐ฉ melimpah
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะพััะฐัะฝัะน
- ะฟะพัะธัะตะฝะธะน
- ัะพะทะฟะพะฒััะดะถะตะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ obfity
๐ฏ๐ต ่ฑๅฏใช
๐ซ๐ท abondant
๐ช๐ธ abundante
๐น๐ท bol
๐ฐ๐ท ํ๋ถํ
๐ธ๐ฆ ูููุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ hojnฤ
๐ธ๐ฐ hojnรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ไธฐๅฏ็
๐ธ๐ฎ obilen
๐ฎ๐ธ gnรณtt
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะผะพะปะฐะน
๐ฌ๐ช แฃแฎแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bol
๐ฒ๐ฝ abundante
Etymology
The word 'rife' is derived from the Old English word 'rifian', which means 'to rise' or 'to be abundant'. It first appeared in Middle English in the 14th century, indicating a sense of abundance or plentifulness. Initially, it had a neutral connotation, describing anything that was plentiful. However, over time, its usage shifted towards a more negative context, often describing undesirable or harmful things that are prevalent. This evolution reflects societal concerns about the proliferation of negative aspects in life, such as crime or disease. The term has been used in literature and journalism to convey the idea that certain adverse conditions are not merely present, but are spread widely, affecting larger groups or areas. Today, 'rife' continues to carry this connotation of being abundant in a negative way.