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 Milton has called for the World Health Organization to issue more stringent protocols for healthcare settings, since healthcare workers are handling sick patients and transmission is more common. —Pien Huang, NPR, 15 May 2026 That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 In contrast, most solar production in the US takes place in the south and west, while coal plants are more common in the east and northeast. —ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026 Smelling salts have been around for centuries, common around sports to give athletes a quick jolt of adrenaline. —Jason Jones, New York Times, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for common
Recent Examples of Synonyms for common
  1. ordinary
  2. normal
  3. general
  4. low
  5. prevailing
  6. collective
  7. mediocre
  8. poor
Adjective
  • But the export success has hardly trickled down to ordinary citizens and transformed into buying power that can reverse the ongoing property slump, analysts say.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • Claude will suddenly and unexpectedly tell a user during an ordinary chat to consider getting some sleep or rest, doing so in a casual, positive manner (not a harsh demand or rude insistence).
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of ordinary
Adjective
  • That means less cement per meter—on this bridge roughly 40% less concrete—while still reaching normal strength.
    — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
  • One patient retained normal core disgust reactivity but could no longer recognize disgust in others’ faces; another with anterior insula damage showed dysregulation in both producing and experiencing disgust.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • The Fields pairs highly adaptable facilities with expert, hands-on production support — a combination that general manager RoseMary Prodonovich says is designed to fuel creative endeavors.
    — Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Husband is a genuinely excellent partner and a kind, funny, good person in general.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Definition of general
Adjective
  • This is especially important for low-income communities and others who rely heavily on the shot for contraception.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 15 May 2026
  • Not since Oakland Hills in 2008 — Jeev Milkha Singh and Robert Karlsson at 2-under 68 — has the low score to par after the first round of the PGA Championship been worse than 3 under.
    — Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 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 collective ire of the group spilled over.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
  • Astrid Suarez, director of collective impact at Niles Township’s Early Childhood Alliance, a nonprofit that provides early literacy opportunities to families, said Chamber events like this are what inspires organizations like hers to keep going.
    — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Definition of collective
Adjective
  • During a mediocre season, many fans, hoping to improve their team’s draft position, root for their side to lose.
    — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • This is not a problem confined to mediocre leaders.
    — Bryce Hoffman, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Definition of mediocre
Adjective
  • After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.
    — Ryan Brennan May 19, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
  • However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 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 20 May. 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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