prevalent

UK: /ˈprɛvələnt/ US: /ˈprɛvələnt/ ,(prev′ə lənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

prev•a•lent /ˈprɛvələnt/   adj. 

1. widespread;
   in general use or acceptance:
   the prevalent point of view.
2. having greater power;
   dominant.

prev•a•lence, n. [uncountable] See -val-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prev•a•lent  (prev′ə lənt), adj. 

1. widespread;
   of wide extent or occurrence;
   in general use or acceptance.
2. having the superiority or ascendancy.
3. [Archaic.] effectual or efficacious.

• Latin praevalent- (stem of praevalēns), present participle of praevalēre to prevail. See pre-, -valent
• 1570–80

prev′a•lence, prev′a•lent•ness, n. 
prev′a•lent•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. common, extensive. See current. 

Antonyms

• 1. rare.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prevalent / ˈprɛvələnt/ adjective

1. widespread or current
2. superior in force or power; predominant

Etymology: 16th Century (in the sense: powerful): from Latin praevalens very strong, from praevalēre: see prevail

ˈprevalence, ˈprevalentness noun

ˈprevalently adverb