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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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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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 This is common when the sensor gets a coating of fine dust on it. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026 In San Diego, one of the most common species is the Argentine ant, an invasive insect that has spread throughout Southern California and often enters homes in search of food and water. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026 In fact, said Yiannas, the questionnaire the FDA uses to trace common threads between sick people for a potential outbreak source still did not include questions about water the week of July 6. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 11 July 2026 Cyclospora is most common in tropical climates and areas with substandard sanitation. — Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 July 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
  • Beckham has all but haunted the airwaves since the World Cup kicked off on June 11, becoming the most ubiquitous feature of the tournament’s ad breaks.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 July 2026
  • That happens anytime new chunks of tire are exposed to the air, meaning the particle may be nearly ubiquitous in car-heavy environments.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 9 July 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • The oil flow out of the Strait of Hormuz is by no means back to normal.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • The physical and mental effort that Bellingham has put himself through at this tournament is not normal.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • Others, like Chevanni Davids, a 33-year-old South African man living in Bali, use them to maintain a general sense of well-being.
    — Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Ukraine's military general staff said Monday that the strike caused a fire at the facility, which is situated nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) from Ukrainian territory and close to Russia's border with Kazakhstan.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • The funeral, which ends Thursday, was supposed to be a period of lower tensions.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 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
  • The community's collective action successfully forced this specific rollback, though the broader strategy of in-game purchases persists.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • In laboratory tests, fleets of four and eight robots autonomously assembled into target structures, disconnected, reassembled into new shapes, and operated as a single rigid vessel capable of collective movement.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • This impressive dinner will make an ordinary Wednesday night feel like a special occasion.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 July 2026
  • Asked why, Newsom told The Times his party had become out of touch with ordinary Americans.
    — Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • On top of this, subterranean drip systems often clog with mineral deposits, sediment, and algae, which Nad warns may eventually require repairs or replacement of portions of the system, particularly in areas with hard water or poor filtration.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 13 July 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 15 Jul. 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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