The word "popular" is spelled with the letter "o" followed by a "u". This may cause confusion for non-native English speakers as the sounds represented by these letters are often switched in other languages. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /ˈpɒpjʊlə/. The "o" sound is a short "o" as in "pot," and the "u" sound is a short "u" as in "hut." This word is commonly used to describe something that is widely liked or admired by many people.
Popular is an adjective that describes something or someone that is widely liked, admired, or accepted by a large number of people in a particular society or group. It signifies a high degree of general interest or approval. Something popular is often in vogue or highly sought after by the masses. It denotes the state of being favored or esteemed by a considerable portion of the population.
When applied to an individual, popular refers to someone who is well-liked and influential, often possessing a large following or being recognized by a substantial number of people. They tend to attract attention and social recognition, whether through their accomplishments, charisma, or public persona.
In the realm of culture, a popular phenomenon usually refers to forms of entertainment, music, literature, or art that have gained extensive popularity and enjoyment among a wide range of individuals, appealing to their tastes, interests, or emotions. It implies broad acceptance, often resulting in widespread consumption or wide distribution.
A popular opinion refers to a widely shared belief or viewpoint. It denotes the prevailing attitude or perspective held by a significant number of individuals within a society or a specific group. It can be representative of culturally or socially acknowledged norms or values.
Overall, popular signifies social recognition, wide acceptance, and extensive popularity either through the admiration of individuals, collective preferences, or the influence it has on broader society.
Pert. to the common people or to the public; suitable or pleasing to the public in general; plain; easily comprehended.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "popular" originates from Latin, where it was derived from the word "popularis". In Latin, "popularis" was an adjective that described something or someone belonging to or characteristic of the people or the general public. It was used to denote topics, ideas, or even individuals that were well-liked or supported by the common people. Over time, the word made its way into various languages with a similar meaning, including English. Thus, "popular" in English still refers to something that is liked, appreciated, or preferred by many people.