prevail

CEFRB2

/pɹɪˈveɪl/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To exist or be common, or to win against others.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.

Examples

  • The anthropologist says old customs still prevail in the province.

  • We must prevail against our rivals by all means.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • /pɹɪˈvæɪl/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To triumph; to be victorious.

  2. To be superior in strength, dominance, influence, or frequency; to have or gain the advantage over others; to have the upper hand; to outnumber others.

  3. To succeed in persuading or inducing.

More examples

In context

  • In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.

  • Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag.

  • Sunny skies will prevail across the Northeast.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

In the final round, the champion's skill and experience helped him blank over his opponent.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English prevailen, from Old French prevaler, from Latin praevaleō (“be very able or more able, be superior, prevail”), from prae (“before”) + valeō (“be able or powerful”). Displaced native Old English rīcsian.