Definition

1. Noun (plural):

   • The common people; the masses: "polloi" refers to ordinary people, especially in contrast to the elite or upper classes. It is typically used in the phrase "hoi polloi," though "polloi" alone can appear as a shortened form.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The exclusive club is not for the polloi; only the wealthy are admitted. (The club is not for ordinary people.)
  • The polloi often have little influence on government policy. (The masses have little power.)
  • She spoke of the polloi with disdain, as if they were beneath her. (She looked down on common people.)

Advanced Usage

• "hoi polloi": The standard phrase meaning "the masses" or "the common people."

  • The aristocrats avoided mingling with hoi polloi. (The aristocrats avoided ordinary people.)

• "polloi" as a standalone term: While uncommon, it can appear in informal or academic writing to refer to the general public.

  • The polloi were not invited to the private ceremony. (The common people were excluded.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hoi polloi (n): the full Greek-derived phrase; often used with a definite article ("the hoi polloi").
  • The politician tried to appeal to hoi polloi during his campaign. (He tried to win over the masses.)

Synonyms

• The masses: the large body of ordinary people.
• The commonality: ordinary people collectively.
• The populace: the people living in a particular country or area.
• The rabble: a derogatory term for the common people (often used contemptuously).

Related Idioms

• The great unwashed: a derogatory term for the common people, implying lack of sophistication.
  • The wealthy guests looked down on the great unwashed outside the gates. (They looked down on ordinary people.)

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Polloi" and "hoi polloi" are often used with a slightly ironic or condescending tone, though they can be neutral in academic contexts.
• Grammatical note: "Hoi" is the Greek definite article, so "the hoi polloi" is technically redundant but is the standard English usage. "Polloi" alone is less common and may sound affected.