Definition of plebeian
1
: a member of the Roman plebs
2
: one of the common people
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Recent Examples of plebeian from the Web
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Celebrities surprising unsuspecting plebeians is practically a cottage industry at this point.
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Running dreams, for runners and plebeians nonrunners alike, are totally common and take myriad forms with boundless interpretations.
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That is because the Roman Forum began as a market and became the place where patricians would meet plebeians and press the flesh.
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Which is, 99 percent of us plebeians need to pick a new hobby.
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Rome had experienced plenty of internal conflict between patricians and plebeians since its founding, but none rose to the level of war until 88 BCE.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plebeian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of plebeian
Latin plebeius of the common people, from plebs common people
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First Known Use: 1533
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearOther Sociology Terms
Examples of plebeian in a Sentence
wondered what the people at the country club would think of his plebeian origins
Recent Examples of plebeian from the Web
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Well aware of the difference between patrician gardening in the grand style and the more plebeian approach of cottage gardening, Ms. Lively appreciates both.
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While you and your plebeian friends celebrated Independence Day by firing up a few mediocre hotdogs on the barbecue, J-Rod were busy cozying up to each other on a picturesque beach looking hot as heck (literally and metaphorically speaking).
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Of course, there's also the plebeian alternative: Gently rub a refrigerated spoon under your eyes to mimic the same cooling effect for zero dollars.
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Then again, maybe my low penmanship expectations are the product of my plebeian public-school education.
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From May 18 through May 20, any plebeian can purchase a $4 cupcake and feel like a royal guest.
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Penn food hall The University of Pennsylvania’s former Moravian Food Court at 3401 Walnut St. — known for plebeian choices such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and A&W — soars higher on the food chain with Franklin’s Table Food Hall.
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The Tungsten is distinguished from the more plebeian Ram Limited by a segment-first suede headliner, exclusive white-and-indigo leather not unlike that in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, real wood trim, and body-color exterior components.
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The boy who said that the emperor had no clothes was not an élitist insulting the plebeian parade spectators.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plebeian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of plebeian
1566
plebeian Synonyms
Synonyms
baseborn, common, humble, ignoble, inferior, low, low-life, lowborn, lower-class, lowly, mean, proletarian, vulgar;
Antonyms
aristocratic, blue-blooded, genteel, gentle, grand, great, high, highborn, highbred, lofty, noble, patrician, upper-class, upper-crust, wellborn;
Near Antonyms
Other Sociology Terms
PLEBEIAN Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of plebeian for English Language Learners
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: a member of the common people of ancient Rome
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: a common person
Learn More about plebeian
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See words that rhyme with plebeian Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plebeian Spanish Central: Translation of plebeian Nglish: Translation of plebeian for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of plebeian for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plebeian
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