English vocabulary · C1
Preponderance
/prɪˈpɑn.dər.əns/ · n.
It means when one side is much greater in number, weight, or strength. A preponderance is not just a little more — it is clearly more than half.
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Example sentences
- A preponderance of the evidence pointed to one person.
- The preponderance of complaints forced the company to act.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- pre — before (from Latin)
- ponder — weigh (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- MAJORITY — more than half of a group (Number & Votes)
- DOMINANCE — being clearly stronger (Power & Control)
- BULK — the largest part of something (Size & Amount)
Words with the same root
ponder — weigh
- ponder — to think carefully, as if weighing something
- ponderous — very heavy or slow; moving with great weight
Lesson notes
Preponderance. It means when one side is much greater in number, weight, or strength than the other. A preponderance is not just a little more — it is clearly more than half.
Similar words are majority, dominance, and bulk. Use preponderance when one side is so much larger that the result is obvious.
A preponderance of the evidence pointed to one person. The preponderance of complaints forced the company to act.
From Latin. Pre- means before. Ponder- means weigh. The side that weighs more before all others — that is the preponderance.