# popular

/ˈpɑpjəɫɝ/ (US) · /pˈɒpjʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/popular
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. liked by many

adjective · CEFR A1

liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people.

For teachers: widely liked, admired, or enjoyed by a large number of people.

- The new Italian restaurant is very popular with local families on weekends.
- The senator remained remarkably popular among rural voters despite the controversial economic reforms introduced during her first term.

### 2. for the general public

adjective · CEFR B1

intended for or used by ordinary people rather than experts or specialists.

For teachers: designed for or adapted to the understanding, taste, or means of the general public.

- He writes books about popular science that are easy for everyone to understand.
- The magazine successfully bridged the gap between academic research and popular interest in archaeology.

### 3. common or widespread

adjective · CEFR B2

held or accepted by most people.

For teachers: commonly held or widely prevalent among the general population.

- Contrary to popular belief, carrots do not actually help you see in the dark.
- The popular conception of the historical figure was largely shaped by a fictionalised film released in the late nineties.

### 4. of the people

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

relating to the people of a country, especially regarding politics or law.

For teachers: pertaining to, or originating from, the general body of people within a political or legal framework.

- The country held a popular vote to decide on the new law.
- The uprising was seen as a genuine expression of popular sovereignty against an increasingly autocratic regime.

### 5. a liked person

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang

a person who is very well-liked, especially in a school or social group.

For teachers: an individual who enjoys high social status or widespread approval within a specific peer group.

- She was one of the populars in high school, always surrounded by friends.
- The social hierarchy of the office was clearly divided between the management and the 'populars' who organised every after-work event.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to a social clique.

## Examples

- Football is a very popular sport in many countries.
- The new teacher became popular with the students because she made the lessons fun and easy to understand.
- While the policy was initially popular among the electorate, its long-term economic consequences led to a sharp decline in the administration's approval ratings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.