predominate
predominate Lexical Profile
predominate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To be the largest in number, quantity, or proportion within a group or area.
"Pine trees predominate in the northernmost reaches of the forest."
To have or exert controlling power, authority, or chief influence.
"Economic concerns tended to predominate over environmental ones during the policy debate."
• adjective
Having greatest importance, influence, or numerical prevalence; predominant.
"Oak and maple were the predominate tree species across the lower slopes of the valley."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal usage, "predominate" is typically used as a verb and "predominant" as an adjective, though "predominate" also occurs as a less common adjectival variant.
• Rhymes for predominate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Medieval Latin predominatus, the past participle of predominari ('to rule beforehand' or 'to have superior power'), formed from Latin prae- ('before') and dominari ('to rule').