What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prevalent
Example
The flu is prevalent during the winter months. [prevalent: adjective]
Example
The prevalent attitude towards climate change is one of concern. [prevalent: adjective]
dominant
Example
The dominant political party won the election by a large margin. [dominant: adjective]
Example
His dominant personality made him a natural leader. [dominant: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prevalent is less common than dominant in everyday language. Dominant is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while prevalent is more specific and often used in technical or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prevalent and dominant?
Both prevalent and dominant can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, prevalent may be considered more formal due to its technical usage in medical or scientific fields.