Definition

1. Noun:
   • Ordinary citizens, the general populace: "common people" refers to the majority of the population who are not part of the aristocracy, the extremely wealthy, or the ruling elite. It denotes the everyday working class and general public.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The policies were designed to appeal to the common people.
  • In the story, the hero rises from among the common people to become a leader.
  • The museum's free admission day was crowded with common people enjoying the art.

Advanced Usage

• "the common people": Used with the definite article to refer specifically to this social group as a collective entity.
  • The king was said to be out of touch with the common people.
• Historical/Literary Context: Often used in historical or sociological discussions to contrast with the nobility or upper classes.
  • The revolution was fueled by the discontent of the common people.

Variants and Related Words

• Commoner (n): A person who is not of noble rank.
  • He was a commoner who married into the royal family.
• Populace (n): The general public.
  • The new law was unpopular with the populace.
• The masses (n): A term for the ordinary people, often considered as a group.
  • The film was a blockbuster popular with the masses.

Synonyms

• General public: The ordinary people in society.
• Working class: People employed for wages, especially in manual or industrial work.
• Everyman: An ordinary individual, representing the common person.

Related Phrases

• Man/woman of the people: A leader or public figure who is perceived to understand and represent the interests of ordinary citizens.
  • The senator cultivated an image as a man of the people.

Related Idioms

• Salt of the earth: A very good and honest person or group of people, often referring to the common working class.
  • My grandparents were the salt of the earth; they worked hard their whole lives.

Noun

1. people in general (often used in the plural)
   • they're just country folk
   • folks around here drink moonshine
   • the common people determine the group character and preserve its customs from one generation to the next