prevalent

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adjective prev·a·lent \ˈpre-vÉ™-lÉ™nt, ˈprev-lÉ™nt\

: accepted, done, or happening often or over a large area at a particular time : common or widespread

Full Definition of PREVALENT

1

archaic :  powerful

2

:  being in ascendancy :  dominant

3

:  generally or widely accepted, practiced, or favored :  widespread

— prevalent noun

— prev·a·lent·ly adverb

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Examples of PREVALENT

1. a custom that was once prevalent here
2. Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.
3. a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers
4. Sweden is known as a nation ridden by suicide and alcoholism, but those problems are no more prevalent here than in most European countries. —John Harris, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2002
5. Teams seem to him better coached, players more skilled, the strategy even more defensive, the opportunities less prevalent, the game less ripe. —Alec Wilkinson, ESPN, 16 Apr. 2001
6. So prevalent were grave robberies that the pharaohs' loyal retainers often spirited away their masters' remains for reinterment in secret graves. —Paul Martin, National Geographic Traveler, March 1999
7. Throughout the Mediterranean culture, which was the matrix of our own, the tree was a prevalent embodiment of the Mother Goddess; … —Francis DuPlessix Gray, UTNE Reader, November/December 1987

Origin of PREVALENT

Latin praevalent-, praevalens very powerful, from present participle of praevalēre

First Known Use: 1576

Related to PREVALENT

Synonyms

conventional, customary, going, popular, prevailing, current, standard, stock, usual

Antonyms

nonstandard, unconventional, unpopular, unusual

Related Words

average, common, everyday, normal, ordinary; regular, routine; epidemic, ubiquitous, universal, widespread; accustomed, wonted; fashionable, in, modish, stylish

Near Antonyms

abnormal, exceptional, extraordinary, uncommon