popular

[ pop-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general:

   a popular preacher.

   Synonyms: bookmark

2. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by an acquaintance or acquaintances:

   He's not very popular with me just now.

3. of, relating to, or representing the people, especially the common people:

   popular discontent.

4. of the people as a whole, especially of all citizens of a nation or state qualified to participate in an election:

   popular suffrage; the popular vote; popular representation.

5. prevailing among the people generally:

   a popular superstition.

   Synonyms: current, common

6. suited to or intended for the general masses of people:

   popular music.

7. adapted to the ordinary intelligence or taste:

   popular lectures on science.

8. suited to the means of ordinary people; not expensive:

   popular prices on all tickets.

popular

/ ˈpɒpjʊlə; ˌpɒpjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. appealing to the general public; widely favoured or admired
2. favoured by an individual or limited group

   I'm not very popular with her

3. connected with, representing, or prevailing among the general public; common

   popular discontent

4. appealing to or comprehensible to the layman

   a popular lecture on physics

noun

1. usually plural cheap newspapers with mass circulation; the popular press Also shortened topops

Derived Forms

• popularity, noun

Other Words From

• anti·popu·lar adjective
• non·popu·lar adjective
• over·popu·lar adjective
• pseudo·popu·lar adjective
• quasi-popu·lar adjective
• semi·popu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of popular¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English populer, from Latin populāris; people, -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of popular¹

C15: from Latin populāris belonging to the people, democratic, from populus people

Synonym Study

See general.

Example Sentences

This was also the case in 2016, when Trump beat Hillary Clinton to the presidency despite losing the popular vote - having notched only 46% of the overall ballots cast.

From BBC

She says charity shopping is popular with many now and consumers are increasingly looking to do something worthwhile with their unwanted items.

From BBC

The two checked into the popular Nana Backpacker Hostel - where guests often receive a free shot upon arrival.

From BBC

The alleged assailant — though his name wouldn’t be revealed immediately — was a popular Fox News Channel host and the keynote speaker at the conference.

From Los Angeles Times

But the national popular vote doesn’t count for squat in a U.S. presidential election.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attractive
• beloved
• famous
• fashionable
• favored
• prominent
• suitable
• trendy