Prevalent
/ˈprɛvələnt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Prevalent describes something that is widespread or very usual in a certain area, group, or time period. It means you can see or experience it often because many people or things have it or do it.
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See It in Action
Widespread or common in a place or group
- •This belief is prevalent among young people in the city.
- •Smoking was prevalent in the past but is less common now.
- •Certain health problems are prevalent in cold climates.
Frequently occurring or accepted
- •The use of smartphones is prevalent in many countries.
- •Prevalent attitudes toward work have changed over time.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "prevalent" like "common," but stronger—it means something happens a lot or is very usual.
- ✓Picture a street where many people wear the same style of shoes—that style is prevalent there.
- ✓It's the feeling when you notice many people around you doing the same thing, like everyone using smartphones.
- ✓Sounds like "PREV-uh-lent" → Imagine something "prevailing" or winning often, so it is everywhere.
- ✓Think about how flu is prevalent in winter—many people get it at the same time.
- ✓NOT like "rare" (happens very little), prevalent means it happens a lot.
- ✓NOT like "unique" (one of a kind), prevalent means many have or do it.
- ✓NOT like "occasional" (sometimes), prevalent means often or usually.
Try Other Words
- •Widespread: existing or happening over a large area or among many people (Use when emphasizing large area or many people)
- •Frequent: happening often (Use when focusing on how often something happens)
- •Usual: normal or expected (Use when highlighting normal or expected situations)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "pre-" meaning "before" or "in front"
- •Root: "valent" from Latin "valere" meaning "to be strong" or "to be worth"
- •Etymology: From Latin "praevalent-", meaning "being stronger or more powerful"
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 1600s to describe something common or widespread because it "prevails" or is strong in an area
- •Modern usage: Used to talk about things, ideas, or behaviors that are common or usual in certain places or times
Reflect & Connect
•How can knowing what is prevalent in a culture help you understand the people there better?
•Can something be prevalent but not good? How do we decide if it is positive or negative?
Fill in the blanks
1.The flu is prevalent ___ the winter months because cold weather helps it spread.
2.Smoking was once prevalent ___ many countries, but now fewer people do it.
3.Unlike rare diseases, prevalent illnesses ___ affect large groups of people.
4.The idea that hard work leads to success is prevalent ___ many societies.
5.Technology use is prevalent ___ young people, especially with smartphones and social media.
6.In areas where a problem is prevalent, people ___ often try to find solutions.
7.Unlike occasional habits, prevalent behaviors ___ happen regularly and widely.