common

adjective

ˈkä-mən How to pronounce common (audio)
Definition of commonnext
1
as in ordinary
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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3
as in general
belonging or relating to the whole facts of common knowledge

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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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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 mediocre
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 The silhouette of the dress designed by Catherine Walker for Trooping the Colour 1988 is also common to both royals. —Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 12 June 2026 Other common mistakes include pruning incorrectly or not at all and adding too much nitrogen to the soil. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 12 June 2026 The most common storm damage was downed trees, large limbs and power lines, according to the National Weather Service’s local storm reports. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026 The sport’s ability to create spaces and opportunities for everyone to share a common interest – the true beauty of the beautiful game – helps explain what institutions hope to achieve through support of the World Cup. —Miceal Chamberlain, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for common
Recent Examples of Synonyms for common
  1. ubiquitous
  2. normal
  3. general
  4. low
  5. prevailing
  6. collective
  7. ordinary
  8. poor
Adjective
  • In the final weeks of the campaign, Pratt became ubiquitous in the national media.
    — National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • This type of signage became so ubiquitous and so grotesquely huge across the city as businesses advertised and competed for visual attention that they were forcefully phased out by the government in the 2010s and replaced by Korean letters tastefully cut out to be lit from within instead.
    — Anton Hur, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • Now that the garden is complete aside from normal plant replacements, Sterman recognizes it as the expression of her own evolution and growth as a garden designer as well as changing views on waterwise gardening.
    — Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • The West Coast is also bracing for rising temperatures, with highs climbing to 10 to 25 degrees above normal this weekend.
    — Christine Rapp, NBC news, 13 June 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Other Carolina Panthers’ contract extensions Coker’s contract extension is the latest handed out by general manager Dan Morgan during his three-year tenure.
    — Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • The reports are expected to examine ways to reduce the cost burden on the city’s general fund.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch noted their dissent and would have granted the state’s request to overturn the lower courts.
    — Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 12 June 2026
  • The lobby bar, called The Living Room, was busy with groups of friends sipping hot toddies and Champagne at low tables and around the fireplace.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 June 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.
    — Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of prevailing
Adjective
  • Towns called it a collective joy when the Spurs failed to score on the final possession.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 11 June 2026
  • The property is famous for thermal baths fed by a spring discovered by medieval hunters, and holds six collective Michelin stars across its restaurants.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • The company’s founders say the idea came from watching ordinary people struggle to access opportunities that increasingly depended on technical knowledge.
    — Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • Late Thursday, the plaintiffs filed a motion asking the court to order the Pentagon to resume its ordinary review process for new wind energy projects.
    — Jennifer McDermott, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Equating the Holocaust to Gaza is in extremely poor taste.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Definition of poor

Phrases Containing common

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commodores
common
commonalities
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Cite this Entry

“Common.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/common. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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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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