prevail

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
  2. verb be valid, applicable, or true
  3. verb continue to exist

Etymology

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

predominate, dominate, rule, reign

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