English vocabulary · B2
Prevalent
/ˈprev.ə.lənt/ · adj.
It means common in many places or among many people. The same thing appears again and again across a large group or area.
Watch the Prevalent lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- Flu is prevalent this winter.
- Phone use is prevalent in schools.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- pre — before (from Latin)
- val — strong (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- COMMON — seen a lot (Easy Word)
- WIDESPREAD — spread over a wide area (Many Places)
- EVERYWHERE — in many places (Very Simple)
Words with the same root
val — strong
- valid — strong enough to count
- value — worth
- valiant — brave
Lesson notes
Prevalent. It means common in many places or among many people. The same thing appears again and again across a large group or area.
Related: common, widespread, everywhere. Use prevalent when something appears in many places.
Flu is prevalent this winter. Phone use is prevalent in schools.
From Latin. Pre- means before. Val- means strong. When something is strong in many places, it is prevalent.