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Definition of prevalent - 3 dictionary results

prev⋅a⋅lent

  [prev-uh-luhnt]
Use prevalent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. widespread; of wide extent or occurrence; in general use or acceptance.
2. having the superiority or ascendancy.
3. Archaic. effectual or efficacious.
Origin:
1570–80; < L praevalent- (s. of praevalēns), prp. of praevalēre to prevail. See pre-, -valent

Related forms:
prev⋅a⋅lence, prev⋅a⋅lent⋅ness, noun
prev⋅a⋅lent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. common, extensive. See current.

Antonyms:
1. rare.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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prev·a·lent   (prěv'ə-lənt)   
adj.  Widely or commonly occurring, existing, accepted, or practiced. See Synonyms at prevailing.

[Middle English, very strong, from Latin praevalēns, praevalent-, present participle of praevalēre, to be stronger; see prevail.]
prev'a·lent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prevalent 
1576, "having great power or force," from L. prævalentem (nom. prævalens), prp. of prævalere "to be more able" (see prevail). Meaning "extensively existing, in general use" is from 1658.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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