Antonyms for commonness


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


Definition of commonness

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.
  • As in incidence : noun occurrence
  • As in mediocrity : noun ordinariness
  • As in normality : noun mediocrity
  • As in vulgarity : noun crassness
  • As in customariness : noun usualness
  • As in normalcy : noun usualness
  • As in ordinariness : noun usualness
  • As in routineness : noun usualness
  • As in usualness : noun normality
Example sentences :
  • This commonness of mind and tone is often one of the penalties of fellowship.
  • Extract from : « The American Mind » by Bliss Perry
  • I'll see, I'll see, after dinner; the commonness of the name has its disadvantages now.
  • Extract from : « Eugene Aram, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • If you do not realize the commonness of these tragedies, may God help you!
  • Extract from : « The College, the Market, and the Court » by Caroline H. Dall
  • I am ashamed of the satisfaction I found myself taking in her commonness.
  • Extract from : « The Diary of a Saint » by Arlo Bates
  • He liked the fundamental ordinariness in Aaron, the commonness of the common man.
  • Extract from : « Aaron's Rod » by D. H. Lawrence
  • There was very little trace of commonness in Milly's good looks.
  • Extract from : « Name and Fame » by Adeline Sergeant
  • I admit the commonness of the expression, but it is not the less a solecism.
  • Extract from : « Notes and Queries, Number 233, April 15, 1854 » by Various
  • In the commonness of their work they became as one: he the body, she the soul.
  • Extract from : « Caybigan » by James Hopper
  • Meant to be more emphatic than lose, but actually less so, because of its commonness.
  • Extract from : « The Elements of Style » by William Strunk
  • If men were judged by their commonness, I would be a chief with plumes in my hat.
  • Extract from : « The Mystery of the Locks » by Edgar Watson Howe

Synonyms for commonness

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