Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people: Describes something or someone that is generally favored, approved of, or well-liked by a large number of people.
   • Intended for or suited to the general public: Refers to things designed to be understood, used, or appreciated by ordinary people, not just experts or a specific group.
   • Involving or carried out by the people as a whole: Pertains to activities, ideas, or systems that originate from or are conducted by the general population.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • She is a very popular teacher among the students. (She is widely liked by the students.)
  • This café serves popular dishes at reasonable prices. (This café serves dishes that are widely enjoyed and suited to the public.)
  • The government was elected through a popular vote. (The government was elected by the votes of the general citizenry.)

Advanced Usage

• "popular with/among": Liked or admired by a particular group.
  • The new policy is popular with young voters. (The new policy is liked by young voters.)
• "popular culture": Cultural activities or commercial products reflecting, suited to, or aimed at the tastes of the general public.
  • Television shows are a major part of popular culture.
• "popular opinion": The view or belief held by most people.
  • The decision went against popular opinion. (The decision was contrary to what most people thought.)

Variants and Related Words

• Popularity (n): The state of being liked, admired, or supported by many people.
  • The singer's popularity has grown rapidly.
• Popularize (v): To make something liked or known by many people; to make something suitable for general public understanding.
  • He helped popularize that style of music.
• Popularly (adv): By many or most people; generally.
  • The treaty is popularly known by that name.

Synonyms

• Widespread: Found or distributed over a large area or number of people.
• Fashionable: Characteristic of, influenced by, or representing a current popular trend.
• Mainstream: The ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional.

Related Phrases

• Gain/lose popularity: To become more or less liked.
  • The app quickly gained popularity.
• Popular demand: A request or desire expressed by many people.
  • The product was re-released due to popular demand.

Related Idioms

• As popular as the plague: (Ironic/Humorous) Very unpopular.
  • After that scandal, he became as popular as the plague.
• A popular misconception: A widely held but incorrect belief.
  • It's a popular misconception that all bats are blind.

Adjective

1. (of music or art) new and of general appeal (especially among young people)
2. representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large
   • democratic art forms
   • a democratic or popular movement
   • popular thought
   • popular science
   • popular fiction
3. carried on by or for the people (or citizens) at large
   • the popular vote
   • popular representation
   • institutions of popular government
4. regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
   • a popular tourist attraction
   • a popular girl
   • cabbage patch dolls are no longer popular