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 During the 1990s, mafia-style killings of public figures were a common occurrence in Bulgaria. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Internationally, a United Nations resolution on geographical names says that when countries sharing a feature can’t agree on a common name, each country’s name is accepted. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Assassination attempts against Putin's foes -- routinely denied by the Kremlin -- have been common during his decades in power. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 Instead of the telltale hyperactivity common in men, women are much more likely to experience ADHD internally. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 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
  • The companies that help agents verify reality and transact reliably stand to become more ubiquitous and indispensable.
    — Oliver Kharraz, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Video of the destruction is so ubiquitous online that the peninsula has become a global symbol of our collective struggles against the rising sea.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • It's shot up from less than $97 at the start of the month on uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Menopause is the normal part of a woman’s aging process that marks the end of her reproductive years.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • His dip in the polling this month seems less attributable to any new policy position or statements than to just a general gloom among California residents about the state’s direction, Baldassare said.
    — Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • That’s the case in Baltimore County as well — the administrative officer is paid a flat annual salary and does not receive general increases or cost-of-living adjustments.
    — Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • Landrew came off the bench for the first time this preseason and used his physicality to get to the basket for a pair of layups in the first half while Oskar Giltay battled with 7-foot-4 Daniel Jacobsen down low.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The distance is worth it for travelers who want a budget-friendly hotel that still has loads of style, as prices tend to be significantly lower than downtown hotels.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 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
  • Gail Lerner, is fun and refreshing, speaking to a collective audience across generations.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But the Dream’s offensive dominance would not have been possible without the team’s collective defense.
    — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • However, the record does not establish that the configuration is suitable for ordinary motorcycle use on water or for routine amphibious transportation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Behind the camera, Avani Rai shot about 130 people comprising ordinary Indians, dancers, models, and artisans, as well as her mother and actor Ranveer Singh against the streets of Old Delhi and its flower market and crowded alleyways.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.
    — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about common

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