Origin: Latin suffix -ular
Popular has 7 different meanings across 1 category:
A person who is popular, especially at a school.
"The candidate is running on a platform supported by several members of popular parties across Europe."
A member of any political party with "Popular" in the title, such as the Partido Popular in Spain or Popolari di Italia Domani in Italy
In plain English: A popular person is someone who is well-liked and admired by many people.
"The popular at the meeting was clearly someone who could make everyone laugh."
Usage: Use "popular" only as an adjective to describe something liked by many people; it is never correct to use it as a noun. If you need a noun for a member of a political party like the Spanish Partido Popular, refer to them simply as a "member" or specify their party name directly.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
"a popular tourist attraction"
"a popular girl"
"cabbage patch dolls are no longer popular"
carried on by or for the people (or citizens) at large
"the popular vote"
"popular representation"
"institutions of popular government"
representing or appealing to or adapted for the benefit of the people at large
"democratic art forms"
"a democratic or popular movement"
"popular thought"
"popular science"
"popular fiction"
Common among the general public; generally accepted.
"The idea of working remotely has become popular across many industries as more companies embrace flexible schedules."
In plain English: Popular means being liked by many people.
"The new music video is very popular among teenagers."
Usage: Use popular to describe something widely liked or favored by the general public, such as a popular song or a popular opinion. Avoid confusing it with merely being famous, since a celebrity might be well-known without their ideas or products being universally embraced.
The word popular comes from the Latin populus, meaning "the people." It entered English via Old French to describe something favored by or belonging to the common people.