Langimage
English

Common

|com-mon|

A2

🇺🇸

/ˈkɑːmən/

🇬🇧

/ˈkɒmən/

(common)

ordinary state

Base FormPluralPluralPlural3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleComparativeSuperlativeNounNounNounVerbAdverb
commoncommonnessescommonscommoningscommonscommonedcommonedcommoningmore commonmost commoncommonnessordercommoningordercommonly
Etymology
Etymology Information

'common' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'communis', where 'com-' meant 'together' and 'munis' related to 'service' or 'duty'.

Historical Evolution

'common' changed from Old French 'comun' and Middle English 'comun' and eventually became the modern English word 'common'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'shared by all' or 'held in common', but over time it also took on senses of 'usual' or 'ordinary' and, in some uses, 'of low social rank'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

land or resources owned or used by a community; an area for public use.

Common land in the village is used for grazing.

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Adjective 1

occurring frequently; usual or widespread.

Common problems include slow internet and unclear instructions.

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Adjective 2

shared by, belonging to, or used by more than one person or group.

It is Common to find features that multiple departments use.

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Adjective 3

of low social rank or vulgar; not refined.

Using that slang in formal writing is considered Common and inappropriate.

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Last updated: 2025/12/02 14:48