Added 10 October 2026
prevail
/pɹɪˈveɪl/ verb
In Latin: pervincō Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about prevail at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
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.
Red colour prevails in the Canadian flag.
- To triumph; to be victorious.
-
To be current, widespread, or predominant; to have currency or prevalence.
In his day and age, such practices prevailed all over Europe.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)