Dominant
adjective /ˈdɒmɪnənt/ — The most powerful or influential in a space — the thing or person that shapes the room.
Definition
Most important, powerful, or influential; having control, power, or influence over others; standing out as the primary or prevailing force.
Beyond the definition
Dominant is a word that carries both admiration and discomfort — the dominant force in any system has disproportionate influence over how that system works. Whether that's good depends entirely on the quality of the dominance.
Origin & history
From Latin dominantem — ruling, governing (from dominare: to rule, from dominus: lord, master). The word for the one who rules the domain.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The dominant color in her paintings was always a warm grey — everything else existed in relation to it.
He was the dominant personality in every room he entered — not aggressively, but inevitably.
The company's dominant market position gave it advantages that smaller competitors couldn't match.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Dominant” when the meaning fits your context: Most important, powerful, or influential; having control, power, or influence over others; standing out as the primary or prevailing force.
Synonyms
predominant, prevailing, supreme, commanding, preeminent
Antonyms
subordinate, minor, secondary, peripheral
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Power imbalance in a room
Two adults stand in a room, one standing tall and pointing, while the other looks down and seems excluded.
The height and posture of the first individual establish them as the primary force. This visual inequality illustrates a clear dominant role within a social or professional setting.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Dominant" mean?
Dominant is adjective meaning: The most powerful or influential in a space — the thing or person that shapes the room.. Most important, powerful, or influential; having control, power, or influence over others; standing out as the primary or prevailing force.
Where does the word "Dominant" come from?
From Latin dominantem — ruling, governing (from dominare: to rule, from dominus: lord, master). The word for the one who rules the domain.