dominant

noun

A species or organism that is dominant.

(genetics) Of an allele, that a heterozygote for the allele has the same phenotype as the homozygote.

(BDSM) The dominating partner in sadomasochistic sexual activity.

(music) The fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.

(music) The triad built on the dominant tone.

adjective

Ruling; governing; prevailing

Predominant, common, prevalent, of greatest importance.

(of a body part) Preferred and used with greater dexterity than the other, as the right hand of a right-handed person or the left hand of a left-handed one.

(medicine) Designating the follicle which will survive atresia and permit ovulation.

(music) Being the dominant

Roots

dominusdomin- · Latin · lord, master

Synonyms for dominant

predominantadj prevalentadj prevailingadj predominatingv reigningadj prepotentadj preponderantadj controllingadj hegemonicadj subdominantn

Synonyms & related words for dominant

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Words related to dominant

Explore words related to dominant — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include nondominant, dominating, dominantly, dominance, preponderating, dominated, superdominant, dominates. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for dominant

Common synonyms for dominant include predominant, prevalent, prevailing, predominating, reigning, prepotent, preponderant, controlling — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does dominant come from?

The word dominant breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root domin-, from Latin dominus (“lord, master”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.