popular
/ˈpɒp.jə.lə(r)/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Liked by many people, or enjoyed by many people. It can also mean common or widely used.
- That song is very popular with teenagers.
- This restaurant is popular at lunchtime.
- Popular apps change quickly.
Adinary Nuance
Popular is not the same as famous. Something can be popular because many people like it, even if it is not well known everywhere. It is also different from common: common means seen often, while popular means liked by many people.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phổ biến
- Spanish
- popular
- Chinese
- 受欢迎的
- Japanese
- 人気の
- Korean
- 인기 있는
Etymology
From Latin popularis, meaning 'of the people'. It entered English through French in the late Middle Ages.
Common phrases
popular with studentspopular choicepopular opinionpopular culture
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is popular the same as famous?
- No. Popular means many people like it. Famous means many people know it.
- Can I say 'popular among' and 'popular with'?
- Yes. Both are correct. 'Popular with' is more common in everyday English.
- Is popular a formal word?
- It is neutral. You can use it in speaking, writing, and exams.
- Does popular always mean 'liked by people'?
- Usually yes, but it can also mean widely used or common.