Antonyms for common


Grammar : Adj
Spell : kom-uhn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈkɒm ən


Definition of common

Origin :
  • c.1300, "belonging to all, general," from Old French comun "common, general, free, open, public" (9c., Modern French commun), from Latin communis "in common, public, shared by all or many; general, not specific; familiar, not pretentious," from PIE *ko-moin-i- "held in common," compound adjective formed from *ko- "together" + *moi-n-, suffixed form of root *mei- "change, exchange" (see mutable), hence literally "shared by all."
  • Second element of the compound also is the source of Latin munia "duties, public duties, functions," those related to munia "office." Perhaps reinforced in Old French by the Germanic form of PIE *ko-moin-i- (cf. Old English gemæne "common, public, general, universal;" see mean (adj.)), which came to French via Frankish.
  • Used disparagingly of women and criminals since c.1300. Common pleas is 13c., from Anglo-French communs plets, hearing civil actions by one subject against another as opposed to pleas of the crown. Common prayer is contrasted with private prayer. Common stock is attested from 1888.
  • adj average, ordinary
  • adj generally known; held in common
  • adj low, coarse
Example sentences :
  • This was a common practice during the festival of Thargelia, in honour of PhÅ“bus.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • One of them common Pullmans is good enough fur Marthy and me.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • They are valuable, but he can do but common things with them because he knows not their possibilities.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • They are money entrusted to him to be used for the common good.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • They called him a King or a prince and obeyed his orders for their own common benefit.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • All the systems of writing of the ancient people of Asia had one thing in common.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • By common consent he was pre-eminently God-fearing, orderly and conscientious.
  • Extract from : « The Grand Old Man » by Richard B. Cook
  • We are held by particular bonds of sympathy and common interest with them.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • Of course, in times of peace, they may facilitate the common business of politics.
  • Extract from : « Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327 » by Various
  • In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various

Synonyms for common

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019