rife
UK: raɪf | US: raɪf
Definition
adj. (of something undesirable) widespread or prevalent
adj. abundant or full (archaic)
Structure
No data yet.
Etymology
The word "rife" traces back to Old English rīfe, meaning "abundant" or "plentiful." Over time, its meaning narrowed to emphasize the prevalence of negative phenomena (e.g., "disease was rife"). The word retains its archaic sense of abundance but is now primarily used to describe unwelcome widespread conditions. Its simplicity and Germanic roots make it resistant to morpheme segmentation.
Examples
Corruption was rife in the government.
Rumors about the scandal grew rife.
The forest is rife with wildlife.
During the pandemic, fear was rife.
The city’s streets were rife with crime.