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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Predominant: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：most noticeable or influential (predominant)

predominant 🔊

/priˈdɑːmənənt/

adj.

Something that is most noticeable, important, or influential.

Predominant concept illustrated by a large blue segment in a pie chart showing tech products.

most noticeable or influential 🔊

➕

/moʊst ˈnoʊtɪsəbl ɔːr ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/

adj.

Describes the element that is most prominent, powerful, or holds the greatest sway in a particular situation.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prae-' (before) + 'dominari' (to rule), literally 'ruling before'.

💡 Mnemonic

PRE (before) + DOMINANT (ruling) → The one that rules before others, hence the most important.

📖 Example

In today's world, predominant forms of communication include social media and instant messaging. 🔊 In today's world, the most influential forms of communication include social media and instant messaging.

🔗 Collocations

predominant factor – The most decisive or influential cause.

predominant role – The most important or controlling function.

predominant feature – The most noticeable or defining characteristic.

🔄 Synonyms

dominant (adj.) – Most important, powerful, or influential, but can imply direct control.

primary (adj.) – Of chief importance; first in order or rank.

paramount (adj.) – More important than anything else; supreme.

🚫 Antonyms

minor (adj.) – Lesser in importance, seriousness, or significance.

secondary (adj.) – Coming after, less important than, or resulting from something primary.

insignificant (adj.) – Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.

🌱 Derivatives

predominantly (adv.) – For the most part; mainly.

predominance (n.) – The state or condition of being most common or having the most influence.

📖 Cultural Story

Entered English in the 1500s via French 'prédominant'. Its core Latin root 'dominari' connects it to words like 'dominant' and 'domain', reflecting a focus on control and preeminence. Today, it is frequently used in business and academic writing to denote the leading factor, trend, or characteristic.

Meaning 2：making up the largest part (predominant)

predominant 🔊

/priˈdɑːmənənt/

adj.

Something that makes up the largest part or number.

Predominant majority shown on a color-coded map with one large, deeply shaded central area.

making up the largest part 🔊

➕

/ˈmeɪkɪŋ ʌp ðə ˈlɑːrdʒɪst pɑːrt/

adj.

Describes the component that constitutes the greatest share or number within a whole.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The predominant language spoken in this small town is a local dialect, not the national language. 🔊 The language that makes up the largest part of communication in this small town is a local dialect, not the national language.

🔗 Collocations

predominant species – The plant or animal species that is most numerous in an area.

predominant color – The color that appears most frequently or covers the largest area.

predominant ingredient – The ingredient that constitutes the main part of a mixture.

🔄 Synonyms

major (adj.) – Greater in size, extent, or importance; can also refer to the larger part.

main (adj.) – Chief in size or importance; principal.

principal (adj.) – First in order of importance; main.

🚫 Antonyms

minority (n.) – The smaller number or part, especially a number that is less than half the whole number.

small (adj.) – Limited in size, extent, or importance; not large.

uncommon (adj.) – Not occurring or found often; rare.

🌱 Derivatives

predominantly (adv.) – Mainly; for the most part.

predominance (n.) – The condition of being greater in number or amount.