Its oldest meaning, still in use today, is synonymous with widespread and prevalent; it's more likely, however, than either of those to describe negative things, as in “corruption and greed were rife in …

1. of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; widespread: Crime is rife in the city. 2. abundant, plentiful, or numerous. 3. abounding (usu. fol. by with).

Definition of rife adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

RIFE definition: of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; in widespread existence, activity, or use. See examples of rife used in a sentence.

RIFE meaning: 1. If something unpleasant is rife, it is very common or happens a lot: 2. full of something…. Learn more.

Rife definition: In widespread existence, practice, or use; increasingly prevalent.

in widespread existence, activity, or use: Crime is rife in the slum areas of our cities. current in speech or report: Rumors are rife that the government is in financial difficulty.

Dec 23, 2025 · Adverb rife (comparative more rife, superlative most rife) Plentifully, abundantly.

If you say that something, usually something bad, is rife in a place or that the place is rife with it, you mean that it is very common. Speculation is rife that he will be sacked. Bribery and corruption were …

There are 24 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word rife, 15 of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.