dominant
DO-mih-nuhnt
Dominant (adj) means More powerful, important, or noticeable than others in the same category. Example: “The oak is the dominant tree in this part of the forest.”
adj
1
More powerful, important, or noticeable than others in the same category.
"The oak is the dominant tree in this part of the forest."
"She quickly became the dominant player on the team."
"Blue was the dominant colour in the painting."
2
Genetics: describing a gene or trait that is expressed even when only one copy is present.
"A child needs only one dominant allele from a parent to show the trait."
"In the biology lesson we learned that the dominant trait hides the recessive one."
"Brown eyes are typically caused by a dominant gene."
How to use dominant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn charge, most powerful, or most noticeable — including a specific meaning in genetics.
Common mistake
A "dominant" gene isn't necessarily the more common one in a population — it just overrides the recessive gene when both are present.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dominant gene
dominant force
dominant position
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Word forms
- Plural
- dominants
- Comparative
- more dominant
- Superlative
- most dominant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The oak is the _____ tree in this part of the forest.
Etymology
Borrowed from French dominant, from Latin dominari, "to rule."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dominant
See all rhymes for dominant →Frequently asked questions
What does “dominant” mean?
The word “dominant” means more powerful, important, or noticeable than others in the same category. In plain terms, in charge, most powerful, or most noticeable — including a specific meaning in genetics.
How do you pronounce “dominant”?
“Dominant” is pronounced DO-mih-nuhnt (/ˈdɑmənənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dominant” in a sentence?
Here is “dominant” used in a sentence: “She quickly became the dominant player on the team.”
What is another word for “dominant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dominant” include dominator.
What is the opposite of “dominant”?
The opposite of “dominant” — its antonyms — are obedient, submissive, defiant and rebellious.
What part of speech is “dominant”?
“Dominant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dominant” come from?
The word “dominant” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French dominant, from Latin dominari, "to rule.".
Is “dominant” a common word?
“Dominant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between dominant and dominating?
Dominant describes an established state of being the most powerful or important in a group, while dominating describes the active process of exerting control over others. A team can be dominant in its league, but a person who is dominating a conversation is actively taking it over.
What is the difference between a dominant and a recessive gene?
A dominant gene or trait is expressed even when only one copy is present, whereas a recessive trait appears only when two copies are inherited. This means a single dominant allele can mask the effect of a recessive one.
When should you use dominant instead of dominating?
Use dominant to describe an established position of strength, such as "the dominant species," and dominating to describe forceful, ongoing control that can feel overbearing. Dominant is often neutral or positive, while dominating tends to carry a negative tone.
What preposition goes with dominant?
Dominant is commonly followed by "in" or "over": a company can be dominant in a market or dominant over its rivals. It can also stand alone, as in "the dominant player."
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