common
KOM-uhn
Common (adjective) means happening often, or found in large numbers; not rare. Example: “Colds are common in winter.”
adjective
1
Happening often, or found in large numbers; not rare.
"Colds are common in winter."
"It's common for new parents to feel exhausted in the first few months."
"Sparrows are a common sight in our garden all year round."
2
Shared by two or more people or things.
"They discovered a common interest in old films."
"The two villages share a common border along the river."
"Our families have a common friend who introduced us at a party."
3
Ordinary or unremarkable, sometimes used to suggest something is unrefined or lacking class.
"He was accused of having common tastes in food and music."
"Her grandmother thought it was common to chew gum in public."
"He worried that his accent made him sound common at the dinner."
noun
1
An open area of land, especially in a town, that everyone is free to use.
"Children were flying kites on the village common."
"On Sundays we walk the dog across the common near our house."
"Cows once grazed on the common, which belongs to the whole town."
How to use common
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShared by many, or simply ordinary and unremarkable.
Common mistake
Calling a person "common" as a description of manners (rather than frequency) is old-fashioned British slang and can sound snobbish.
Common pairings
common sense
common ground
common knowledge
a common mistake
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Word forms
- Plural
- commons
- Third person singular
- commons
- Past tense
- commoned
- Comparative
- commoner
- Superlative
- most common, commonest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Colds are _____ in winter.
Etymology
From Old French comun, from Latin communis ("shared, general, public") — ultimately from roots meaning "held together."
Synonyms
View more →
widespread
prevalent
ordinary
commonplace
park
commons
green
average
basic
bog-standard
common as bums
common as dirt
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for common
See all rhymes for common →Frequently asked questions
What does “common” mean?
The word “common” means happening often, or found in large numbers; not rare. In plain terms, shared by many, or simply ordinary and unremarkable.
How do you pronounce “common”?
“Common” is pronounced KOM-uhn (/ˈkɑ.mən/ in IPA).
How do you use “common” in a sentence?
Here is “common” used in a sentence: “Colds are common in winter.”
What is another word for “common”?
Words with a similar meaning to “common” include average, basic, bog-standard, common as bums, common as dirt and common as muck.
What is the opposite of “common”?
The opposite of “common” — its antonyms — are abnormal, atypical, exceptional, uncommon and exotic.
What part of speech is “common”?
Depending on how it is used, “common” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “common” come from?
The word “common” comes from Latin. From Old French comun, from Latin communis ("shared, general, public") — ultimately from roots meaning "held together.".
Is “common” a common word?
“Common” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between common and rare?
They are opposites. Something common happens often or exists in large numbers, so you meet it easily and regularly. Something rare occurs seldom or in small numbers, so it is hard to find. A sparrow is a common bird; a golden eagle is comparatively rare. Frequency and abundance separate the two.
What is the difference between common and ordinary?
Common stresses frequency — how often something occurs or how widely it is found. Ordinary stresses quality — being plain, average, and unremarkable. A mistake can be common because many people make it, while a meal is ordinary because it is nothing special. Something common is not always ordinary.
What is the opposite of common?
In the sense of frequency, the opposites are rare, uncommon, and scarce — words for what happens seldom or is hard to find. Unusual and infrequent also fit. Each stresses that something is met with only occasionally, in contrast to the everyday and widespread nature of what is common.
What is an example of common?
Colds are common illnesses because so many people catch them. Daisies are common flowers, seen in gardens and fields everywhere. A common surname is one shared by large numbers of people. In each case, the thing is frequent or plentiful rather than rare or unusual.
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