Definition

Adjective 1. Widespread, common, or generally accepted: Existing or happening over a wide area or among many people at a particular time. It describes something that is the current, dominant, or most frequent condition, practice, or belief. 2. Predominant, dominant: Having superior strength, influence, or authority in a given context.

Usage

The adjective "prevalent" is used to describe a state, condition, idea, or practice that is common or widespread in a specific place or during a specific period. It often implies a comparison, suggesting that something is more common now or here than other things.

Examples

• Describing common conditions:
  • Malaria is still prevalent in many tropical regions.
  • A feeling of optimism was prevalent after the team's victory.
• Describing common beliefs or practices:
  • The prevalent opinion among scientists is that climate change is accelerating.
  • That style of architecture was prevalent in the 19th century.

Advanced Usage

• Comparative and Superlative Forms: While "prevalent" itself is an adjective, its comparative form is "more prevalent" and its superlative is "most prevalent."
  • Online shopping is more prevalent now than it was a decade ago.
  • This species is the most prevalent in the northern forests.
• "Prevalent among/in": Often used with the prepositions "among" (for groups of people) or "in" (for places, times, or fields).
  • The theory is prevalent among young economists.
  • Certain customs are prevalent in rural areas.

Variants and Related Words

• Prevalence (noun): The quality or state of being prevalent; widespread existence.
  • The prevalence of smartphones has changed how we communicate.
• Prevail (verb): To be widespread or current; to prove more powerful or superior.
  • Common sense prevailed in the end.

Synonyms

• Common: Occurring, found, or done often.
• Widespread: Found or distributed over a large area or number of people.
• Predominant: Present as the strongest or main element.
• Rife: (Especially of something undesirable) of common occurrence; widespread.
• Ubiquitous: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

Antonyms

• Rare: Not occurring very often.
• Uncommon: Out of the ordinary; unusual.
• Unusual: Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.
• Limited: Restricted in size, amount, or extent.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• The prevalent view/wind/theory: A standard phrase indicating the most common or dominant perspective, direction, or idea at a given time.
  • The prevalent view is that the policy will be successful.

Adjective

1. most frequent or common
   • prevailing winds