Search Dictionary
Definition of rife

rife

/raɪf/
rife
Adverb:rifely
JUMP TO:

rife Lexical Profile

rife Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Of common occurrence; widespread and prevalent (especially of something undesirable or harmful).

Example

"Speculation about the company's imminent merger was rife throughout the financial district."

2

Full of or abounding in a particular, usually unpleasant quality or thing (typically followed by 'with').

Example

"The early draft of the manuscript was rife with historical inaccuracies and typographical errors."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for rife
Antonyms
View all antonyms for rife

Word Nuance & Usage

"Rife" is used almost exclusively as a predicate adjective (following a linking verb) and typically describes undesirable phenomena, or places and situations filled with them (as in "rife with rumors").

• Rhymes for rife

• Nearby Words

ridley sea turtle
ridley turtle
riesling
rife
riff
riffle
riffraff

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English rīfe, meaning "abundant" or "frequent," probably reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse rífr, meaning "munificent" or "abundant."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rife. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rife
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.