dominance
gb/dˈɑmənəns/ us/dˈɑmənəns/
B2
English
~ 7200
dominancia, erőfölény, fölény, túlsúly, meghatározó szerep, oldaliság, laterális dominancia, domináns szerep
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
the dominance of [group/thing] in [area]
The company’s dominance in the smartphone market has started to decline.
A vállalat okostelefon-piaci dominanciája gyengülni kezdett.
Some activists argue that male dominance is slowly decreasing in many workplaces.
Egyes aktivisták szerint sok munkahelyen lassan csökken a férfiak dominanciája.
The team’s long period of dominance ended when their star player retired.
The film explores the political dominance of the ruling party over the last decade.
Their economic dominance allows them to set prices that smaller competitors must follow.
Learner examples
His team showed clear dominance in the game.
A csapata egyértelmű fölényt mutatott a mérkőzésen.
The dominance of big companies makes it hard for small shops to survive.
A nagyvállalatok erőfölénye megnehezíti a kisboltok fennmaradását.
Many people are fighting against male dominance in society.
Her dominance at work makes some colleagues feel afraid to speak.
The country lost its dominance after a long financial crisis.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "dominance" with "domination". In most modern contexts, especially in politics, business, and social issues, "dominance" (a general state of having more power) is more common, while "domination" can sound more forceful or negative, focusing on the act of controlling others.
Meaning
Power or control over others
Collocations
political dominance
|economic dominance
|market dominance
|male dominance
|global dominance
|assert dominance
Synonyms
supremacy (Often stronger and more formal, can suggest complete or unquestioned power.)
Antonyms
equality (Suggests a situation where power or influence is shared fairly rather than held by one side.)
Themes
power
|society
|politics
|business
Definition
The situation when one person, group, or thing has more power or control than others.
The state of having more power, control, or influence than others, especially in a social, political, or economic situation.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the dominance of [type/style/feature] in [area]
The dominance of English on the internet affects which voices are heard.
Az angol nyelv internetes túlsúlya befolyásolja, mely hangok jutnak szóhoz.
Many critics worry about the cultural dominance of Hollywood films worldwide.
Sok kritikus aggódik a hollywoodi filmek világszintű kulturális dominanciája miatt.
The report shows the growing dominance of digital media over print newspapers.
The new design breaks the traditional dominance of dark colors in the brand’s identity.
Some fear the dominance of a few big platforms will limit choice for users.
Learner examples
The dominance of English makes it a useful language to learn.
Az angol nyelv túlsúlya miatt hasznos megtanulni angolul.
Streaming services have clear dominance in how people watch movies now.
Ma már a streaming-szolgáltatásoknak meghatározó szerepük van abban, hogyan néznek az emberek filmeket.
The dominance of one culture can make others feel less important.
The chart shows the dominance of one color in the painting.
Phone use has reached dominance in how people go online.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "dominance" only for people or groups. It can also describe abstract things like a language, style, color, or technology being much more common or visible than others.
Meaning
Being more common or noticeable
Collocations
cultural dominance
|the dominance of English
|digital dominance
|color dominance
|brand dominance
|media dominance
Synonyms
prevalence (Focuses more on being widespread or frequent, less on power or control.)
Antonyms
diversity (Highlights the presence of many different types instead of one type being clearly strongest or most common.)
Themes
culture
|language
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When one kind of thing is much more common or easy to see than other kinds.
The state of one type, style, or feature being more common, visible, or important than others in a particular area or period.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
dominancia
C1
Usage pattern:
[allele/trait] shows dominance over [allele/trait]
Mendel’s work helped scientists understand the concept of dominance in inheritance.
Mendel munkája segített a tudósoknak megérteni a dominancia fogalmát az öröklődésben.
In this case, brown eye color shows dominance over blue in the offspring.
Ebben az esetben az utódoknál a barna szemszín dominanciát mutat a kék szemszínnel szemben.
Incomplete dominance occurs when neither allele completely masks the other.
The study examines how genetic dominance influences certain diseases.
Different patterns of dominance can make predicting traits more complex.
Learner examples
Brown eyes often show dominance over blue eyes.
A barna szemszín gyakran domináns a kék szemszínnel szemben.
In genetics class, we learned about dominance and recessiveness.
Genetikaórán a dominanciáról és a recesszivitásról tanultunk.
Dominance explains why some traits are seen more often in children.
Incomplete dominance means both gene forms affect the trait.
Scientists study dominance to understand inherited illnesses.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "dominance" here means social power. In genetics, it only describes how one version of a gene affects the visible trait compared with another version, not social or physical strength.
Meaning
Genetic dominance of an allele
Collocations
complete dominance
|incomplete dominance
|genetic dominance
|allelic dominance
|dominance relationship
|patterns of dominance
Synonyms
allelic superiority (Less common; emphasizes the stronger effect of one allele but is more technical and rare in general use.)
Antonyms
recessiveness (Refers to the opposite role of an allele whose effect is hidden when a dominant allele is present.)
Themes
science
|biology
|medicine
|education
Definition
In genetics, when one form of a gene controls what we see in a trait and the other form is hidden.
In genetics, the relationship between alleles in which the effect of one allele is expressed in the organism’s traits and hides or overrides the effect of another allele at the same locus.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
dominancia
C1
Usage pattern:
[individual] establishes dominance over [others]
Wolves use body language to establish dominance within the pack.
A farkasok testbeszéddel alakítják ki a dominanciát a falkán belül.
The study focuses on dominance hierarchies in primate groups.
A tanulmány a főemlőscsoportok dominanciahierarchiáira összpontosít.
Displays of aggression are often used to maintain dominance over rivals.
In some species, dominance determines which males can mate.
Researchers observed a clear dominance order forming after only a few days.
Learner examples
The big dog shows dominance over the smaller dogs.
A nagy kutya dominanciát mutat a kisebb kutyákkal szemben.
Male birds often fight for dominance in the group.
A hím madarak gyakran harcolnak a csoporton belüli dominanciáért.
In the group, one monkey has clear dominance.
The animal uses loud calls to keep its dominance.
Scientists watched how dominance changed over time.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat this sense as only human social power. In scientific writing, "dominance" here often refers to animal groups and observable rank behaviors, not just general influence.
Meaning
High rank in a social hierarchy
Collocations
establish dominance
|maintain dominance
|social dominance
|dominance hierarchy
|dominance behavior
|fight for dominance
Synonyms
authority (Stresses accepted power or right to lead; less specific about social rank signals or animal behavior.)
Antonyms
submission (Describes the opposite role in a hierarchy, where an individual accepts a lower rank and less control.)
Themes
animals
|psychology
|society
|relationships
Definition
In animal or group behavior, when one member is higher in rank and can control what others get.
The state of having higher rank in a social hierarchy, especially among animals, which allows an individual to control access to resources, space, or mates.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
[person] shows [right/left]-hand dominance
The test revealed strong right-hand dominance in most participants.
A teszt a legtöbb résztvevőnél erős jobbkéz-dominanciát mutatott ki.
Eye dominance can affect how a person aims in shooting sports.
A szemdominancia befolyásolhatja, hogyan céloz az ember a lövészsportokban.
Therapists assess hand dominance before planning fine-motor exercises.
Left-hand dominance is less common but completely normal.
Researchers are studying how brain development influences motor dominance.
Learner examples
Most people have right-hand dominance.
A legtöbb embernél a jobb kéz a domináns.
Her left-hand dominance makes writing with her right hand difficult.
Mivel a bal keze domináns, nehezen ír a jobb kezével.
The doctor checked his eye dominance.
Some children show hand dominance very early.
I have strong right-hand dominance, so I throw better with that hand.
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand this as social power. In medical or psychological contexts, "dominance" here only means natural preference for one side of the body, not control over others.
Meaning
Preference for one hand or side
Collocations
right-hand dominance
|left-hand dominance
|hand dominance
|eye dominance
|motor dominance
|laterality and dominance
Synonyms
handedness (More common for hands specifically; "dominance" can also apply to eyes or other lateral preferences.)
Antonyms
ambidexterity (Describes the ability to use both hands equally well, so no clear dominance exists.)
Themes
medicine
|psychology
|daily life
|body
|health
Definition
When a person usually uses one hand, eye, or side of the body more than the other for difficult tasks.
The natural preference to use one side of the body, such as one hand or one eye, more than the other for precise or skilled actions.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
6
dominancia
C1
Usage pattern:
[person] enjoys/assumes dominance in the relationship
The article discusses how dominance and submission can exist in healthy, consensual relationships.
A cikk azt tárgyalja, hogyan lehet jelen a dominancia és az alávetettség egészséges, kölcsönös beleegyezésen alapuló kapcsolatokban.
They openly talk about boundaries before exploring sexual dominance.
Nyíltan beszélnek a határokról, mielőtt kipróbálnák a szexuális dominanciát.
For some couples, playing with dominance in the bedroom strengthens trust.
Workshops on BDSM emphasize that dominance must always be based on clear consent.
She wrote about discovering her preference for dominance in intimate situations.
Learner examples
Their relationship includes consensual dominance and submission.
A kapcsolatukban jelen van a kölcsönös beleegyezésen alapuló dominancia és alávetettség.
He is interested in dominance but wants clear rules and limits.
Érdekli a domináns szerep, de világos szabályokat és határokat szeretne.
Books about BDSM talk a lot about dominance and control.
They speak about dominance in private and set safe words.
She is not comfortable with dominance in sexual situations.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes imagine this always means abuse. In BDSM use, "dominance" refers to a chosen role with clear consent, limits, and communication, not uncontrolled or non‑consensual power.
Meaning
Controlling role in BDSM
Collocations
sexual dominance
|BDSM dominance
|explore dominance and submission
|dominance in the bedroom
|mutual consent and dominance
|power exchange and dominance
Synonyms
control (A very general word; does not by itself include the ideas of role-play, consent, or sexual context found in this sense.)
Antonyms
submission (In this context, the opposite role, where a partner chooses to give up control within agreed limits.)
Themes
relationships
|sexuality
|health
Definition
In some sexual activities, the role of the person who has agreed power and control over what the other person does.
In sexual or BDSM contexts, the role or behavior of a person who takes controlled power over a consenting partner’s actions and experiences.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dominance
IPA
GB/dˈɑmənəns/
US/dˈɑmənəns/
Syllables & stress
dom - in - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (dom)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dominance
- Plural: dominance
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
submission
noun B1
submissive
adjective
Advanced or less common
domineering
adjective
dominator
noun
Expressions
cultural dominance
1/kˈʌlt͡ʃɚəl dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
One culture being most influential
When one culture’s ideas, products, or way of life are much more common or powerful than others.
Examples
- The cultural dominance of Western media is often criticized.
- Streaming platforms may increase the cultural dominance of English-language shows.
digital dominance
1/dˈɪd͡ʒɪtəl dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Digital technology being strongest
When digital technology or online platforms are much more used or powerful than older, non-digital ways.
Examples
- The report highlights the digital dominance of a few global platforms.
- Digital dominance has changed how news is produced and consumed.
dominance hierarchy
1/dˈɑmənəns hˈaɪɚˌɑɹki/
fixed phrase
technical
Ranked order based on power
A social order in a group where some members are higher and can control the ones below them.
Examples
- Researchers observed a clear dominance hierarchy among the chickens.
- In some primate species, the dominance hierarchy is very stable.
establish dominance
1/ɪstˈæblɪʃ dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Create a position of power
To make it clear that you or your group have more power, control, or higher rank than others.
Examples
- The new coach tried to establish dominance from the first day of practice.
- In many animal groups, males fight to establish dominance over rivals.
explore dominance and submission
1/ɪksplˈɔɹ dˈɑmənəns ˈænd sʌbmˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
informal
Try power and yielding roles sexually
To try or experience roles where one partner has more power and the other gives up power, usually in a sexual or BDSM way.
Examples
- The couple went to a workshop to explore dominance and submission safely.
- Some people like to explore dominance and submission as part of their sex lives.
fight for dominance
1/fˈaɪt fɚ dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Compete to gain power
To compete hard to get more power, control, or a higher place than others.
Examples
- The two parties continue to fight for dominance in national politics.
- In the wild, males often fight for dominance during the breeding season.
global dominance
1/ɡlˈoʊbəl dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Power over the rest of the world
When one country, company, or culture is more powerful or important than others in the whole world.
Examples
- The film explores the rise and fall of the empire’s global dominance.
- Tech firms are competing for global dominance in artificial intelligence.
left-hand dominance
1/lˈɛft hˈænd dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
technical
Preference for using the left hand
When a person normally uses their left hand more than their right hand for writing or other hard tasks.
Examples
- Left-hand dominance can make some tools harder to use.
- Teachers should be aware of left-hand dominance in young children.
lose dominance
1/lˈuz dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Stop being in power position
To no longer have more power, control, or a stronger position than others.
Examples
- The brand began to lose dominance as new competitors entered the market.
- Older males may lose dominance as they become weaker.
maintain dominance
1/meɪntˈeɪn dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Keep a position of power
To keep your strong position of power or control over other people, groups, or companies.
Examples
- The tech giant invests heavily in research to maintain dominance in the market.
- Leaders often face pressure to maintain dominance within their parties.
male dominance
1/mˈeɪl dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Men having more power than women
When men as a group have more power and control than women in a society or situation.
Examples
- The book challenges the long history of male dominance in politics.
- Many workplaces are trying to reduce male dominance in leadership roles.
market dominance
1/mˈɑɹkɪt dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
Very strong position in a market
When one company or product has a very strong position and controls a lot of sales in a market.
Examples
- Regulators are investigating the company’s market dominance.
- Their early start gave them lasting market dominance in online retail.
right-hand dominance
1/ɹˈaɪt hˈænd dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
technical
Preference for using the right hand
When a person normally uses their right hand more than their left hand for writing or other hard tasks.
Examples
- The majority of the population shows right-hand dominance.
- Therapists took his right-hand dominance into account when planning exercises.
the dominance of [something]
1/ðə dˈɑmənəns əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Describing what is strongest or most common
A pattern used to say that one thing has more power, control, or is more common than others.
Examples
- Many critics point to the dominance of a few large firms in the industry.
- Teachers discussed the dominance of test scores in the current education system.
assert dominance
1/əsˈɚt dˈɑmənəns/
fixed phrase
show and use greater power
To act in a way that makes it clear you have more power or control than others.
Examples
- The larger dog tried to assert dominance over the new puppy.
- The larger company asserted its dominance by buying up smaller competitors.
- The company used aggressive pricing to assert dominance in the market.
- He often raises his voice in meetings to assert dominance.
- He raised his voice to assert dominance in the conversation.