Pronunciation: /ˈkɑmən/

Definitions of common

adjective An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'common' describes a noun or pronoun by indicating that something is frequently encountered or widely known.

Example Sentences

A1 Cats are common pets.

A2 It is common to see people walking their dogs in the park.

B1 One common mistake people make is not reading the instructions carefully.

B2 In many cultures, it is common to greet others with a handshake.

C1 Common sense dictates that you should always look both ways before crossing the street.

C2 The idea of universal human rights is a common theme in international law.

Examples of common in a Sentence

formal It is common practice for companies to conduct background checks on potential employees.

informal It's pretty common for people to take a nap after lunch.

slang Common knowledge says that he's not the most reliable person.

figurative Finding a good work-life balance is a common struggle for many professionals.

Grammatical Forms of common

past tense

commoned

plural

commons

comparative

commoner

superlative

commonest

present tense

common

future tense

will common

perfect tense

have commoned

continuous tense

is commoning

singular

common

positive degree

common

infinitive

to common

gerund

commoning

participle

commoned

Origin and Evolution of common

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'common' originated from the Latin word 'communis' meaning 'shared by all or many'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'common' has evolved to also mean 'ordinary, usual, or of low status' in addition to its original meaning of 'shared by all'.