Definition of"popular" in English
Find meaning of popular in English and hundreds of other languages worldwide
AI-generated content • For reference only
Word definitions are provided by AI providers (OpenAI, Claude, etc.) and are for reference only. This is not an official dictionary and may contain errors. Please consult authoritative dictionary sources for the most accurate information.
popular
Definitions
Adjective
Adjective
Adjective
Examples
"The new streaming series quickly became very popular, breaking viewership records."
The new streaming series quickly became very popular, breaking viewership records.
"He was a popular choice for team captain, earning votes from almost everyone."
He was a popular choice for team captain, earning votes from almost everyone.
"The museum offers popular lectures on art history, accessible to non-specialists."
The museum offers popular lectures on art history, accessible to non-specialists.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin *popularis* 'belonging to the people, general, common, democratic', from *populus* 'people'. The English word developed its sense of 'liked by the people' in the 16th century.
Cultural Notes
The term 'popular' in English widely describes anything that garners broad acceptance, approval, or favor among a large segment of the population. While it often implies a positive reception, it can also refer to something that is merely widespread or common, without necessarily implying high quality (e.g., 'popular fiction' vs. 'literary fiction'). It is frequently used in contexts like 'popular culture' to refer to the beliefs, practices, and objects that are shared by the majority of a society, distinguishing them from more specialized or elite forms.