lowest common denominator

noun

1
2
: something of small intellectual content designed to appeal to a lowbrow audience
also : such an audience

Examples of lowest common denominator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Publishers, meanwhile, say the genre represents the lowest common denominator in a market desperate for a bit more literary fiction. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025 This, in turn, becomes logically reliant on the idealist paradigm of Consciousness as the fundamental lowest common denominator of reality. Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Overcoming the compulsions, the siren’s call, the lowest-common-denominator, tabloid, casino effect of everything in a very competitive attention environment where we’re driven toward the lowest common denominator. Sean Illing, Vox, 1 Feb. 2025 The culture war is the lowest common denominator expression of the right’s binding anti-liberalism. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 See All Example Sentences for lowest common denominator

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lowest common denominator was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Lowest common denominator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lowest%20common%20denominator. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

lowest common denominator

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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