WordGarden.iodominantly
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈɒmɪnəntli/
US
Meanings
Adverb
mainly or for the most part
in a controlling or commanding way
by dominant genetic inheritance or expression
Beyond the definition
When something happens dominantly, it happens mainly or more strongly than other things around it. Think of a painting in which blue appears dominantly, drawing your eye more than the other colors. The word often suggests that one element stands out, has the strongest effect, or is present most of the time. In genetics, it can describe the way a dominant trait shows up even when only one copy of the gene is present. You might also say that one theme appears dominantly in a novel or that fear influenced someone's decision dominantly.
The word "dominantly" describes something happening in a way that is main, strongest, or most noticeable compared with other things present. It usually suggests that one element stands out over the rest, not always by completely shutting them out, but by having the greatest presence or effect. Depending on the context, it can point to frequency, visual prominence, influence, or strength.
You will often encounter "dominantly" in biology and genetics. A dominant gene can show its effect even when paired with a recessive one, so the trait appears because the dominant form is the one that is expressed. But the word is not limited to science.
Consider a visual scene: one color may appear dominantly across a poster, making the whole design feel centered on that shade. In social or political life, one group or idea may function dominantly if it shapes events more than others do. The word can also describe inner experience: saying that fear operated dominantly in her thinking suggests that fear had the strongest influence on her choices at that moment.
While not as common in everyday speech as the adjective "dominant," the adverb "dominantly" adds useful detail. It explains how something is present or influential: as the leading part, the strongest force, or the most visible feature. In that way, it is a flexible word for describing anything that stands above the rest in effect, presence, or importance.
Examples
- 1
Visual color
The poster is dominantly blue, with a little orange at the edges.
- 2
Workplace demographics
For years, the field was dominantly male, especially in senior roles.
- 3
Neighborhood makeup
The neighborhood used to be dominantly Italian, but it's more mixed now.
- 4
Genetics
This condition is dominantly inherited, so a child can develop it even if only one parent carries the altered gene.
- Domaindominantly inherited
in genetics, one altered copy of the gene is enough
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- overwhelmingly
- primarily
- mostly
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- dominantly expressed
- dominantly inherited
Word family
Explore
- prevalence
- dominance hierarchy
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- dominantlyadverb