Common
/ˈkɒmən/
Definitions
2 meaningsoccurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
/ˈkɒmən/
Frequently encountered or experienced.
That's a common misconception.
💡 Simply: Something common is seen or happens a lot. Like a common cold – lots of people get it!
👶 For kids: Something lots of people have or do.
More Examples
It is common practice to say thank you.
How It's Used
"It's a common problem for many people."
"The common cold is a viral infection."
an area of land or other resource accessible to all members of a community.
/ˈkɒmən/
An area of shared land.
The village common was a place for recreation.
💡 Simply: A common is like a big park that everyone in a town can use.
👶 For kids: A place where everyone can play.
More Examples
They met on the village common.
How It's Used
"Villagers used the common for grazing sheep."
Idioms & expressions
in common
Shared between people.
"What do you have in common?"
From Old French 'comun', from Latin 'communis' meaning 'shared', 'belonging to many'.
Historically, 'common' also referred to people of lower social standing, reflecting its association with shared resources and land.
Memory tip
Think 'common ground' - shared by many.