common
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
Word facts
Definition of Common
Mutual; shared by more than one.
Example sentences
The two competitors have the common aim of winning the championship.
It is common to find sharks off this coast.
Using Common well
A closer look at how common is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Happening often or shared by many people or things.
Use it for things that occur frequently or that are shared across a group. Be aware it can also carry a mildly negative sense of 'ordinary' or 'lacking refinement' depending on context.
Everyday speech and writing about frequency ('a common mistake'), shared traits ('common ground', 'common interests'), and in set phrases like 'common sense' and 'common knowledge'.
Do not confuse 'common' (frequent/shared) with 'mutual', which some writers wrongly use for it. 'Mutual' properly means reciprocated between two parties ('mutual respect'), not simply 'shared by many'.
- frequent
- focuses purely on how often something happens, without the 'shared' meaning
- ordinary
- emphasizes being unremarkable rather than widespread; can sound dismissive
- widespread
- stronger — stresses geographic or social reach, not just frequency
- shared
- captures only the 'held in common' sense, with a warmer, more positive tone
- prevalent
- more formal; suggests something is dominant or common in a particular time or place
- Beginner It's a common name — I know three people who have it.
- In writing The two teams had little in common at first, but a shared deadline soon gave them common ground.
- Advanced What passes for common sense in one generation is often the hard-won insight of the last.
Think 'common' as in 'held in common' — shared by the community; both words start the same way.
Synonyms for Common
Antonyms for Common
Related words
Words closely connected to Common in meaning or use:
Words that rhyme with Common
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does common mean?
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does common have?
There are 2 syllables in common, divided as kah·muhn when spoken.
What part of speech is common?
In a sentence, common functions as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for common?
Close in meaning to common are vernacular, standard, vulgar, familiar — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use common in a sentence?
Example: "The two competitors have the common aim of winning the championship."