prevalent

adjective

prev·​a·​lent ˈpre-və-lənt 

ˈprev-lənt

1

a

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

prevalent beliefs

Since ageism is so prevalent in society at large, it is hardly surprising to find ageism in popular culture …

—Arnold Arluke

b

: existing or occurring frequently : common

The third most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide is that of vitamin A.

—Sue Rodwell Williams

2

: being in ascendancy : dominant

The prevalent view of Eastern Europe in the West is wrong.

—John Lukacs

3

archaic : powerful

prevalent noun

prevalently adverb

Synonyms of prevalent

• conventional
• usual
• prevailing
• current
• customary
• popular

Examples of prevalent in a Sentence

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

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

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

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

a custom that was once prevalent here

Those teaching methods are still prevalent at some schools.

a fashion that is prevalent among teenagers

Recent Examples on the Web

More people are becoming pregnant at older ages; obesity has become more prevalent among those of reproductive age; and there are more twin, triplet and other multiple births. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

The most prevalent use of electric transportation is on the road, with more than 150,000 electric vehicles sold so far this year in California, according to the California Energy Commission. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Artificial intelligence bots posing as immigration lawyers are increasingly prevalent on social media, where their goal is to trick immigrants and their families into paying out thousands of dollars. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026

The opposition has been particularly prevalent in political battleground states like Michigan and Georgia, where 17 projects have been delayed or blocked, the data shows. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for prevalent

• benevolent
• malevolent

Kids Definition

prevalent

adjective

prev·​a·​lent ˈprev(-ə)-lənt 

: accepted, practiced, or happening often or over a wide area

prevalently adverb