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popular

adjective
pop·​u·​lar | \ ˈpĂ€-pyə-lər How to pronounce popular (audio) \

Definition of popular

1 : of or relating to the general public
2 : suitable to the majority: such as
a : adapted to or indicative of the understanding and taste of the majority a popular history of the war
b : suited to the means of the majority : inexpensive sold at popular prices
3 : frequently encountered or widely accepted a popular theory
4 : commonly liked or approved a very popular girl
Other Words from popular Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about popular

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Other Words from popular

popularly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for popular

common, ordinary, plain, familiar, popular, vulgar mean generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual. common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence a common error lacked common honesty and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness. common manners ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things. an ordinary pleasant summer day a very ordinary sort of man plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity. plain hard-working people familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized. a familiar melody popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups. a writer of popular romances vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness). souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Examples of popular in a Sentence

They have names that were popular a century ago. He is a popular guy in school. Spicy foods have become increasingly popular. That is a very popular misconception. The word “groovy” was popular in the 1960s but it's outdated now. Her theories are popular among social scientists. a popular history of physics
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Recent Examples on the Web

 This sort of proposal, as a piece in Reason notes, is one that has become popular with Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders. — Katherine Timpf, National Review, "San Francisco Deemed the NRA a ‘Domestic Terrorist Organization’. Here’s Why That’s Wrong.," 4 Sep. 2019 In the 1960s a variation of the scala naturae conceived by Jesuit philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin became popular. — Antonio G. Valdecasas, The Conversation, "Evolution doesn’t proceed in a straight line – so why draw it that way?," 3 Sep. 2019 District of Columbia Washington: The district’s attorney general is investigating how e-cigarette giant Juul Labs’ blockbuster vaping device became so popular with underage teens. — USA TODAY, "Space dummy, Bigfoot denial, pumped-up pumpkin: News from around our 50 states," 2 Sep. 2019 As central banks’ bond-buying sprees hammered returns on the safest assets, the sorts of tangible, cash-generating projects that Brookfield runs became popular with cautious investors like insurers and pension funds. — The Economist, "How a Canadian firm has taken on Wall Street’s private-equity titans," 29 Aug. 2019 If the money handed out to consumers were perceived as unfairly distributed, for example, the central bank could become less popular. — Tyler Cowen, Houston Chronicle, "Yes, the Fed could still stop a recession," 29 Aug. 2019 The space became popular during previews of Galaxy’s Edge, despite two unusual factors: Patrons are allowed only a 45-minute stay and there’s a two-drink maximum. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney Star Wars: Visitors cheer Oga’s Cantina at Galaxy’s Edge," 28 Aug. 2019 Magic for the very rich has become increasingly popular in the last few years. — Cody Delistraty, The New Republic, "Why Is the One Percent So Obsessed With Magic?," 26 Aug. 2019 Mid-year enrollment has become more and more popular over the last decade; Auburn had nine this year and a dozen in 2018. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "Freshman Orientation: Auburn’s Bo Nix the latest in trend of true freshman starting quarterbacks," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'popular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of popular

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for popular

Latin popularis, from populus the people, a people

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More Definitions for popular

popular

adjective
How to pronounce popular (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of popular

: liked or enjoyed by many people
: accepted, followed, used, or done by many people
: of, relating to, or coming from most of the people in a country, society, or group

See the full definition for popular in the English Language Learners Dictionary

popular

adjective
pop·​u·​lar | \ ˈpĂ€-pyə-lər How to pronounce popular (audio) \

Kids Definition of popular

1 : of or relating to most of the people in a country or area the popular vote popular culture
2 : enjoyed or approved by many people a popular game
3 : frequently encountered or widely accepted popular opinion

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