dominierend
dominant
Occupying a controlling or outstanding position; prevailing or the most strongly developed.
EXAMPLE
In der Diskussion war seine Meinung klar dominierend.
In the discussion, his opinion was clearly dominant.
dominierend
dominant
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Meanings
dominierend
dominant
In genetics, describing the property of an allele that asserts itself in the expression of a trait over another, recessive allele.
EXAMPLE
Die braune Augenfarbe ist gegenüber der blauen ein dominierendes Merkmal.
Brown eye color is a dominant trait compared with blue eye color.
Usage tips
Participle as adjective
'Dominierend' (dominant) is the present participle of the verb 'dominieren' (to dominate). It is used like a normal adjective and can stand before a noun or be connected with verbs like 'sein' (to be).
EXAMPLE
Der dominierende Eindruck nach dem Gespräch war positiv.
The dominant impression after the conversation was positive.
Word family
This adjective belongs to a word family with the verb 'dominieren' (to dominate) and the noun 'die Dominanz' (dominance). If you know one word, you can understand the others more easily.
EXAMPLE
Kein einzelnes Unternehmen sollte den Markt dominieren.
No single company should dominate the market.
Typical collocations
In its general meaning, 'dominierend' (dominant) is often combined with abstract nouns. Typical phrases are 'der dominierende Faktor' (the dominant factor), 'das dominierende Thema' (the dominant topic), or the expression 'eine dominierende Rolle spielen' (to play a dominant role).
EXAMPLE
Technologie spielte eine dominierende Rolle in der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung.
Technology played a dominant role in economic development.
Context: biology
The meaning from genetics is used almost only in scientific or school texts. Words like 'Gen' (gene), 'Merkmal' (trait), 'Allel' (allele), or 'rezessiv' (recessive) are clear signals for this technical context.
EXAMPLE
Er erklärte, warum die dunkle Haarfarbe ein dominierendes Merkmal ist.
He explained why dark hair color is a dominant trait.
Compare with
dominierend vs dominant
dominant
Dominant and dominierend can describe a superior or particularly strong position. Dominant sounds more like a characteristic or established position, while dominierend emphasizes more strongly that something is currently visibly prevailing or exerting influence. In many sentences, both are possible; the choice depends on this temporal nuance.
dominierend
Bei der Veranstaltung war ein kräftiges Rot in der Dekoration deutlich dominierend.
At the event, vivid red was clearly dominant in the decorations.
dominant
Die dominante Farbe des Logos ist seit Jahren ein kräftiges Rot.
The logo's dominant color has been a vivid red for years.
In real life
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