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 For example — a vaccine against human papillomavirus, or HPV, can prevent cervical cancer, which is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Nigeria, Kenya and other African countries. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 July 2026 This is a common leadership blind spot—especially among high performers—where admitting any vulnerability, or even pausing, feels indistinguishable from weakness. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026 These common questions cover what to look for, what to skip and how to make your finds work together. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 Swiatek said that speeding, along with ice in the winters, are the most common reasons cars crash near his home. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 25 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
  • This now ubiquitous queso dip add-in was born in 1943 at a canning plant in a tiny Rio Grande Valley town.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 23 July 2026
  • Yes, a bit of deception has long been standard in listing photos — a wide lens, a bit of color saturation to make a viewless window appear brighter — but the tools today are more sophisticated, cheaper, and pretty ubiquitous.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 July 2026
Definition of ubiquitous
Adjective
  • That matters because if the public and investors start to doubt inflation will get back to normal, workers would likely demand major wage hikes and companies would preemptively raise prices.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • There was an intervention with a client to navigate a relationship dynamic, and a lifestyle decision was outside of my normal coaching repertoire.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • With Robertson in the lineup heading into training camp, general manager Jim Nill now has some options.
    — Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With multiple companies able to utilize general intelligence similarly, what will differentiate your firm from another will be the ability of your model to understand the work that needs to be done.
    — TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • The administration had appealed two lower court rulings that blocked the termination.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Along with affordable homes, Lupo said, the best cities for first-time buyers also provide lower crime rates, good schools and a lower overall cost of living.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 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
  • Growing societal acceptance of and support for working mothers is part of that change, as is an NWSL collective-bargaining agreement featuring protections and provisions for mothers and childcare.
    — PJ Green July 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • In 1999, Drew co-founded the music collective Broken Social Scene with his fellow singer and guitarist Brendan Canning, counting several members of the two units among its creative lineups.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • Bhagawat Dulal, a Soccer for Success coach who now also translates for detainees, said even ordinary life has started to feel dangerous.
    — Maansi Srivastava, NPR, 21 July 2026
  • Even the ordinary act of scrolling in bed can throw the system off.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • Headline figures such as tasks completed, queries handled or hours saved can look impressive while concealing errors, rework, poor customer outcomes and escalating operating expenses.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Habits like poor sleep, heavy drinking and smoking often make things worse, and work pressure, financial strain and caring for aging parents can compound the effects.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 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 31 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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