1
: prevalent especially to an increasing degree
suspicion and cruelty were rifeW. E. B. Du Bois
2
3
: copiously supplied : abounding
usually used with with
rife with rumors
rife adverb
rifely adverb

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English is rife with words that have been handed down to us from Old English—among them, rife. It comes from the Old English adjective rȳfe and first appeared in written form in the 12th century. Its oldest meaning, still in use today, is synonymous with widespread and prevalent; it's more likely, however, than either of those to describe negative things, as in “corruption and greed were rife in City Hall.” Most often, rife is used alongside with to mean “abounding.” Although rife can be appropriately used for good or neutral things in this sense (and all senses), as in the first sentence of this paragraph, like its synonym and fellow Old English descendant lousy (from the Old English noun lūs, meaning “louse”), it tends to describe things one wishes weren’t in such copious supply.

Examples of rife in a Sentence

Speculation about who would be fired ran rife for weeks. a city government that is rife with malfeasance and corruption
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The name, image and likeness deals rife in college athletics have overturned the landscape, and a looming settlement between the NCAA and Congress will create a revenue-sharing plan that could enrich football and basketball programs, while potentially depleting the rosters of Olympic sports teams. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2025 Injuries were rife across the roster, ineffective play from veterans was a real concern and the goaltending was a question mark. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 3 May 2025 The path forward will be rife intra-party challenges as Republicans work through competing priorities such as cutting spending and extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts. Riley Beggin, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 While uncertainty is rife, history can serve as a guide as to when the S&P 500 might find a bottom. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rife

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ryfe, from Old English rȳfe; akin to Old Norse rīfr abundant

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rife was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Rife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rife. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

rife

adjective
1
: widespread sense 1, prevalent
lands where famine is rife
2
: supplied in large amounts
the town was rife with rumors
rifely adverb

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