popular

USAGE SUMMARY

"popular" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to refer to something that is liked or enjoyed by many people. For example, "The new restaurant is becoming very popular among locals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"These words have become popular.

The New York Times

Economically, tight state controls have fostered stagnation and popular resentment while hindering foreign investment.

The Guardian

National revulsion and popular demand for punishment are dangerous things.

The Guardian - Opinion

An eight-month inquiry by the all party group on mindfulness found frontline public servants could be less likely to fall ill with stress, or quit altogether, if they engage in the increasingly popular meditation practice which involves increasing awareness of the present moment to help control anxiety and depression.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blatter is popular in Africa, Fifa's biggest voting bloc, for bringing its first World Cup in 2010 and using Fifa cash to fund hundreds of facilities for national associations across the continent.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite everything, the Kennedy brand still stands for idealism – for the ambition of the moon landing and the call to public service enshrined in one of his most popular programmes, the Peace Corps.

The Guardian

These eddies of trouble, the revival of secondary disputes and the mixture of economic policy with diplomatic grievances and popular rhetoric all echo the atmosphere of the early 1930s.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also goes for the popular vote: he said that he would introduce a bank tax but then, when asked whether he would increase VAT or income tax, said: "No chancellor could rule that out".

The Guardian

Not just Russia's most popular politician, Putin is set to become an unlikely fashion icon as one brand launches a new collection of Putinwear.

The Guardian

But there's always been a grey area about what's entirely devolved, with enough ambiguity for the party to cast popular votes, which also fitted with its instincts, against student fees and foundation hospitals south of the border.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a 2014 vote to cap immigration, for example, the question asked was: "Do you accept the popular initiative, 'Stop mass immigration'?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the popularity of something, consider using specific metrics or examples to quantify its appeal. For example, instead of saying "This song is popular", you could say "This song is popular, with over 1 million streams in its first week."

Common error

Avoid using "very" or "really" with "popular" as it can sound redundant. Instead, use stronger synonyms like "ubiquitous", "prevalent", or "dominant" to emphasize the extent of popularity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "popular" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is generally liked, well-known, or accepted by many people. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Opinion

10%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Sport

4%

Travel

4%

Arts

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "popular" effectively describes something widely liked or accepted. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent use across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While synonyms like "well-liked" or "in demand" offer subtle nuances, "popular" remains a versatile choice for indicating widespread appeal. Remember to avoid redundant qualifiers and instead, quantify popularity with specific metrics where possible. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources underscores its reliability and broad applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-liked

Focuses specifically on the aspect of being liked by many people.

in demand

Emphasizes the aspect of being requested or desired by many.

sought-after

Highlights the quality of being desired or pursued by many people.

widely accepted

Emphasizes the aspect of being approved or agreed upon by many people.

favored

Stresses the aspect of being preferred over other options.

well-received

Highlights the positive reception something gets from the public.

fashionable

Focuses on current trends and acceptance in style.

trendy

Indicates current popularity and adherence to current trends.

prominent

Highlights visibility and recognition but not necessarily affection.

celebrated

Focuses on the aspect of being publicly praised or honored.

FAQs

How can I use "popular" in a sentence?

You can use "popular" to describe something that is liked or enjoyed by many people. For instance, "That restaurant is very popular" or "She is a popular student".

What are some alternatives to saying "popular"?

You can use alternatives like "well-liked", "in demand", or "widely accepted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "very popular"?

While grammatically correct, using "very popular" can sometimes be redundant. Consider using stronger synonyms or qualifiers to emphasize the extent of popularity, such as "extremely popular" or "highly sought-after".

What's the difference between "popular" and "famous"?

"Popular" implies that something is liked by many people, while "famous" means that something is widely known. A person can be famous without being popular, and vice versa.