- liked or enjoyed by a large number of people
- Andalucia is a popular tourist destination.
- an extremely/immensely popular TV show
- This annual event is wildly popular.
- This is one of our most popular designs.
- The use of case studies has become increasingly popular in higher education.
- popular with somebody These policies are unlikely to prove popular with middle-class voters.
- I'm not very popular with my parents (= they are annoyed with me) at the moment.
- popular among somebody Pizza is more popular among younger adults.
- (ironic) ‘Our dog got into the neighbour's garden again!’ ‘You'll be popular.’
Extra Examples- He was one of those people who are instantly popular.
- What makes this subject so popular?
- Seaside holidays are always popular.
- Jack was not exactly popular after the incident with the fire extinguisher.
- The restaurant is deservedly popular with all who enjoy Mexican food.
- This area is immensely popular with tourists.
- These animals are quite popular as pets.
- The events are popular and generally successful.
- The market has quickly become a popular local landmark.
- Caramel is an increasingly popular ice cream flavour.
- His policies are popular with working people.
- Her unique style has made her paintings popular among collectors.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- prove
- seem
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- among
- as
- for
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [only before noun] (sometimes disapproving) right or appropriate for the taste and knowledge of ordinary people
- popular music/songs/culture/fiction
- This story has been widely reported in the popular press.
- The band's success is largely due to the popular appeal of the lead singer.
Extra Examples- Their art had more in common with American popular culture than with European high art.
- She works in the popular music industry.
- [only before noun] (of ideas, beliefs and opinions) shared by a large number of people
- There's a popular misconception that it's a difficult instrument to play.
- Contrary to popular belief, women cause fewer road accidents than men.
- Popular opinion was divided on the issue.
- By popular demand, the tour has been extended by two weeks.
- Their story has captured the popular imagination.
Extra Examples- Contrary to popular opinion, many women play video games.
- The show is back by popular demand.
- There was an association in the popular mind of the city with crime and violence.
- [only before noun] connected with the ordinary people of a country
- The party still has widespread popular support.
- a share of the popular vote
- The regime was overthrown by a popular uprising.
Extra Examples- There was a popular outcry against the proposals.
- There is a growing popular movement for democracy in the country.
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘prevalent among the general public’): from Latin popularis, from populus ‘people’. Sense 1 dates from the early 17th cent.
Idioms
See popular in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee popular in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishconventional/received/popular wisdom
- the view or belief that most people hold
- Conventional wisdom has it that riots only ever happen in cities.
Extra Examples- Conventional wisdom has it that all sense of community has gone, but that is not the case where I live.
- The received wisdom is that the book is always better than the film.
- Contrary to conventional wisdom, stress is not always a bad thing.
- Popular wisdom has it that higher oil prices are bad for economic growth.
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popular