plebeian

1 of 2

noun

ple·​be·​ian pli-ˈbē-ən How to pronounce plebeian (audio)
Synonyms of plebeian
1
: a member of the Roman plebs
2
: one of the common people
plebeianism noun

plebeian

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to plebeians
2
: crude or coarse in manner or style : common
plebeianly adverb

Examples of plebeian in a Sentence

Adjective wondered what the people at the country club would think of his plebeian origins
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
The plebeians have plenty to be furious about, but their representatives, skilled at turning a crowd into a mob, seem hellbent on shoring up their own influence. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 In the latter years of the Roman Republic, landowners amassed unprecedented riches while plebeians floundered, spawning resentment that infected many corners of society. Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Linen and cotton, cooling garments, were too plebeian; the people posed nobly for street-style social-media accounts in leather jackets and low-slung jorts. Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 27 June 2026 This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plebeian

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin plēbēius "member of the Roman plebs" (noun derivative of plēbēius, adjective, "of or relating to the plebs") + -an entry 1 — more at plebeian entry 2

Adjective

Latin plēbēius "of or relating to the plebs" (from plēbēs plebs + -ius, adjective suffix of appurtenance) + -an entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plebeian was in 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plebeian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plebeian. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

plebeian

noun
ple·​be·​ian
pli-ˈbē-(y)ən
1
: a member of the common people in ancient Rome
2
: one of the common people
plebeian adjective

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