Prevalent
ˈprɛvələnt
Definitions
Widespread, common, or generally accepted at a particular time or in a particular place.
ˈprɛvələnt
Widespread or common in a particular area or at a particular time.
The disease is prevalent in tropical countries.
💡 Simply: Imagine a popular song everyone's listening to. If something is prevalent, it's like that song – everyone's aware of it, it's all around.
👶 For kids: When something is all over the place, like when lots of kids are wearing the same type of shoes, that's prevalent!
More Examples
Fast food restaurants are prevalent in most urban areas.
Cheating is not prevalent in the school.
How It's Used
"Influenza is prevalent during the winter months."
"A culture of silence was prevalent in the community."
"Online shopping is becoming increasingly prevalent."
From Latin *praevalēns*, present participle of *praevalēre* 'to be very powerful, to prevail'.
Used since the late 17th century, initially to describe something that holds influence or power.
Memory tip
Think of a *pre* existing *valent*ine's day card, it is likely prevalent around February 14th.