prevalent

adjective

prev·​a·​lent ˈpre-və-lənt 

ˈprev-lənt

1

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

2

: being in ascendancy : dominant

3

archaic : powerful

prevalent noun

prevalently adverb

Synonyms

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

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

Kids being required to distance from each other, including no longer hanging out at school, at parties, or even at football games, meant substance use became less prevalent almost overnight. —Mia Taylor, Parents, 21 Dec. 2024

The bill comes at a prominent time for artificial intelligence advances where deepfakes and unauthorized use of artists' voice and likeness becomes more prevalent. —Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Incoming Falling Back Under North Korean Assault, A Ukrainian Brigade Turned A River Into A Natural Barrier FBI Warns Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail Users—Check 3 Things To Stop Attacks Malaria is quite prevalent in the DRC. —Dave Wessner, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

This is a demonstration of disrespect, which is currently prevalent in Russia, a disrespect to everything human. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

prevalent

adjective

prev·​a·​lent ˈprev(-ə)-lənt 

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

prevalently adverb