rife
pronunciation
How to pronounce rife in British English:
UK [raɪf]
How to pronounce rife in American English:
US [raɪf]
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- Adjective:
- encountered generally especially at the present time
- excessively abundant
Word Origin
- rife (adj.)
- Old English rife "abundant, common, prevalent," from Proto-Germanic *rif- (cognates: Old Norse rifr, Swedish river, Norwegian riv, Middle Dutch riif, Middle Low German rive "abundant, generous"), said to be from PIE root *rei- "to scratch, tear, cut" "The prevalence of the word in early southern texts is in favour of its being native in English, rather than an adoption from Scandinavian." [OED]
Example
- 1. Poor instruction by teachers who physically beat their pupils is rife .
- 2. The practice is rife in afghanistan , particularly in rural areas .
- 3. Yet unhappiness remains rife , and in this guangdong is no exception .
- 4. Last year fears were rife that the cds sphere could pose a systemic threat .
- 5. Corruption among tax inspectors is rife , according to the state auditor .