It comes from the Old English adjective rȳfe and first appeared in written form in the 12th century. Its oldest meaning, still in use today, is synonymous with widespread and prevalent; it's more likely, …

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

Royal Raymond Rife (May 16, 1888 – August 5, 1971) [1] was an American inventor and early exponent of high-magnification time-lapse cine-micrography. [2][3] Rife is known for his microscopes, which he …

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

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

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).

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.

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.

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 …

• Rumours have always been rife about Macari's interest in turf accountancy. • Bribery is rife in jockeying for good positions on the dealing floor of some firms. • Horror stories are rife of ex-cons setting up …