What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pervasive
Example
The pervasive smell of smoke filled the room. [pervasive: adjective]
Example
Social media has become pervasive in our daily lives. [pervasive: adjective]
prevalent
Example
In many cultures, it is prevalent to take off your shoes before entering a home. [prevalent: adjective]
Example
Obesity is prevalent in many developed countries. [prevalent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevalent is more commonly used than pervasive in everyday language. Prevalent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pervasive is less common and often used to describe negative or unwanted things.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pervasive and prevalent?
Both pervasive and prevalent are formal words that can be used in academic or professional contexts. However, prevalent is more commonly used in everyday language and is therefore more versatile in terms of formality level.
