Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Prevalent
1.
Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force, influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant; successful; victorious.
Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that
prevalent
arms were as good as any title. Sir W. Raleigh.
2.
Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing; widespread; prevailing;
as, a
prevalent
observance; prevalent
disease.This was the most received and
prevalent
opinion. Woodward.
Syn. – Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious; powerful.
–
Prevalent
, Prevailing
. What customarily prevails is prevalent; as, a
. What actually prevails is prevailing; prevalent
fashionas, the
. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more pointed word, since it represents a thing in action. It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet require greater strength to make it actually prevailing. prevailing
winds are westWebster 1828 Edition
Prevalent
PREV'ALENT
,Adj.
Brennus told the Roman embassadors,that prevalent arms were as good as any title.
1.
Powerful; efficacious; successful; as prevalent supplications.2.
Predominant; most generally received or current; as a prevalent opinion.3.
Predominant; most general; extensively existing; as a prevalent disease.Definition 2024
prevalent
prevalent
See also: prévalent
English
Alternative forms
- prævalent (archaic)
Adjective
prevalent (comparative more prevalent, superlative most prevalent)
- Widespread or preferred.
- 2013 March 1, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, page 134:
- Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.
-
- Superior in frequency or dominant.
- 2013 June 22, “Engineers of a different kind”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8841, page 70:
- Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. […] Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster. Clever financial ploys are what have made billionaires of the industry’s veterans. “Operational improvement” in a portfolio company has often meant little more than promising colossal bonuses to sitting chief executives if they meet ambitious growth targets. That model is still prevalent today.
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Synonyms
Translations
widespread, preferred
|
Superior in frequency or dominant
|
See also
References
- “prevalent” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).