What does predominant mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/prɪˈdɒmɪnənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Adjective

Definition

Most common, widespread, or prevailing; superior in number, influence, or authority.

Examples

• The predominant language spoken in the country is English.
• The predominant feature of the new policy is its focus on sustainability.

Synonyms

• Primary
• Main
• Principal

Antonyms

• Minor
• Secondary
• Insignificant

Additional Information

The term “predominant” is often used to describe the most common or widespread characteristic of something. For example, in a study, the predominant age group of participants might be 25-34 years old. In business, the predominant market trend might be towards sustainability. The word is commonly used in various fields, including science, social sciences, and economics.

In everyday language, people might use the term to describe the most popular or widely accepted view on a particular topic. For instance, the predominant opinion on social media might be in favor of a certain policy or against it.

Etymology

The word “predominant” comes from the Latin “praedominari,” meaning “to have dominion beforehand” or “to predominate.”

Usage Notes

The word “predominant” is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as academic writing, research papers, or business reports. In informal language, people might use more colloquial terms like “main” or “most common” instead.

Cultural References

The term “predominant” has been used in various cultural contexts, including literature, film, and music. For example, in George Orwell’s novel “1984,” the predominant ideology of the ruling Party is totalitarianism.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Predominant wind direction
• Predominant color scheme

Related Words or Phrases

• Predominance
• Predominantly

Collocations

• Predominant feature
• Predominant language
• Predominant trend

Frequency of Use

The word “predominant” is moderately common in formal writing and technical contexts, but less common in informal language.

Common Misspellings

• Predominent
• Predominate