predominant
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.being the most common or widespread thing in a particular place or group.
adj.present as the strongest or most frequent element; prevalent.
Simple“The predominant language spoken in this neighborhood is Spanish.”
In context“In this specific ecosystem, the predominant species of tree is the silver birch, which outnumbers all other varieties combined.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.having the most power, influence, or importance.
adj.exerting controlling power or influence; dominant in authority or effect.
Simple“Economic concerns were the predominant factor in the government's decision.”
In context“The predominant theme of the novel is the struggle for individual identity within a rigid social hierarchy.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a specific chord in music that leads toward the main dominant chord.
n.a chord or harmonic function that precedes and leads to the dominant chord, such as the supertonic or subdominant.
Simple“The composer used a predominant chord to build tension before the final resolution.”
In context“The analysis of the sonata highlights how the composer extended the predominant area to delay the arrival of the dominant seventh.”
UsageUsually functions as a noun in harmonic analysis.
Synonymssubdominant
“The predominant theory is that Triton is a captured Kuiper Belt object that caused a major disruption in Neptune's early moon system.”
“More generally, female dispersal and the tendency for males to remain in their natal group also constitute a predominant pattern among the great apes .”
From Middle French prédominant, ultimately from Medieval Latin praedominans. By surface analysis, pre- + dominant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.