common

adjective

ˈkä-mən How to pronounce common (audio)
Definition of commonnext
1
as in ubiquitous
often observed or encountered horse ranches are a common sight in that part of the state

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in normal
being of the type that is encountered in the normal course of events just a common house cat but an extraordinary friend

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole facts of common knowledge

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank a man of wealth and privilege who mingled without pretense with the common folk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in prevailing
held by or applicable to a majority of the people a politician who works not for the special interests but for the common good

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6
as in collective
used or done by a number of people as a group used a common bathroom while at the campground

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7
as in ordinary
of average to below average quality has a common singing voice that's good enough for performing at those venues

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8
as in poor
of low quality furniture of common workmanship that did not justify the high prices

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9
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste embarrassed by the common manners of his new in-laws

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective common contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of common are familiar, ordinary, plain, popular, and vulgar. While all these words mean "generally met with and not in any way special, strange, or unusual," common implies usual everyday quality or frequency of occurrence and may additionally suggest inferiority or coarseness.

a common error
lacked common honesty
common manners

When would familiar be a good substitute for common?

The words familiar and common are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, familiar stresses the fact of being generally known and easily recognized.

a familiar melody

In what contexts can ordinary take the place of common?

The meanings of ordinary and common largely overlap; however, ordinary stresses conformance in quality or kind with the regular order of things.

an ordinary pleasant summer day
a very ordinary sort of man

When is plain a more appropriate choice than common?

While in some cases nearly identical to common, plain is likely to suggest homely simplicity.

plain hard-working people

When might popular be a better fit than common?

Although the words popular and common have much in common, popular applies to what is accepted by or prevalent among people in general sometimes in contrast to upper classes or special groups.

a writer of popular romances

How do vulgar and popular relate to one another, in the sense of common?

Vulgar, otherwise similar to popular, is likely to carry derogatory connotations (as of inferiority or coarseness).

souvenirs designed to appeal to the vulgar taste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of common One common source of dissatisfaction for constituents at Hageman's town hall appeared to be Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has led the Trump administration in carrying out deep cuts in federal government spending. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 Large Cracks on Foundation Walls Small hairline cracks in the foundation walls are relatively common and can typically be fixed by the average DIYer using epoxy or polyurethane to seal the cracks. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025 The United States, wary of centralized government power in the wake of its fight for independence from Britain, has consciously never formed anything resembling the national police forces that are so common in other countries. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 Itchy eyes and a congested nose are common in spring, although some parts of the country tend to have a worse allergy season than others. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for common
Recent Examples of Synonyms for common
  1. ubiquitous
  2. normal
  3. general
  4. low
  5. collective
  6. ordinary
  7. poor
  8. vulgar
Adjective
  • In 2024, Donald Trump was elected to disrupt Washington and to tame a ubiquitous and inefficient government bureaucracy that has lost touch with the American people.
    — Dennis M. Powell, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Top Chef: Chicago gave us some of the most ubiquitous figures in the culinary TV landscape.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • The bottom line: Volatility — though unnerving — is normal.
    — John Towfighi, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Are these normal things to think at this point in a serious relationship?
    — James Parker, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The governor, a Greenwich Democrat and fiscal moderate, also has had both education and general government aid in his crosshairs in recent years, CCM charges.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2025
  • With three draft picks in the first 41 selections next month, general manager Ryan Poles probably isn’t done building up front either.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Despite multiple promising routines in the practice sessions, Lee’s low score of 11.800 was not enough to send the Olympic Champion to Azerbaijan.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • But after spending most of the day under low stratus clouds, patchy fog and coastal drizzle caused by onshore flow, New Yorkers will likely need an umbrella for the evening hours, as a cold front coming from the west is expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of low
Adjective
  • Everyone on the Duke sidelines held their collective breath as the star winced in pain.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Buzzing with the high of a collective response, with the feeling of wholeness.
    — Priscilla Posada, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • These are taxed at different (typically lower) rates than ordinary income.
    — Heather L. Locus, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Experts will appreciate them; ordinary users can ignore them.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.
    — Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • There is a ring on my finger that, to quote Rhett Butler, is the biggest and most vulgar ring in Atlanta (Maine), and a six-course, all-cheese dinner is awaiting us afterward.
    — Christine Murphy, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This goes double for vulgar and hateful content, which is a growing problem across social media.
    — Ella Cerón, Parents, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of vulgar

Phrases Containing common

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Cite this Entry

“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on common

Nglish: Translation of common for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about common

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