common
gb/kˈɑmən/ us/kˈɑmən/
A2
English
~ 600
gyakori, elterjedt, közös, egyszerű, átlagos, közös használatú terület, közlegelő
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is common
It’s common for people to check their phones before bed.
Gyakori, hogy az emberek lefekvés előtt megnézik a telefonjukat.
This plant is common in the southern regions of the country.
Ez a növény gyakori az ország déli régióiban.
Noise complaints are common in this neighborhood.
It’s a common belief that breakfast is the most important meal.
Common mistakes can be avoided with careful proofreading.
Learner examples
It is common to eat rice in my country.
Az én országomban gyakori, hogy rizst esznek.
Rain is common in the spring.
Tavasszal gyakori az eső.
Dogs are common pets.
English is a common language in business.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'common' with 'normal'; 'common' means frequent or widespread, while 'normal' means usual or expected in a given situation.
Meaning
frequent or widespread
Collocations
common problem
|common practice
|common mistake
|common interest
|common feature
Synonyms
frequent (Similar in meaning but focuses more on how often something happens.)
|
widespread (Emphasizes that something exists in many places or among many people.)
Antonyms
rare (Describes something that does not happen often or exists in few places.)
Themes
daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening a lot or in many places.
Happening often or found in many places or among many people.
B1
2
közös
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is common to [someone/something]
The two countries share many common values.
A két országnak sok közös értéke van.
We need to find some common ground to move forward.
Meg kell találnunk a közös nevezőt, hogy tovább tudjunk lépni.
They have a common goal of improving education.
The apartment building has a common laundry room.
Learner examples
We have a common hobby: painting.
Közös hobbink van: a festés.
The two towns have a common history.
A két városnak közös történelme van.
The students share a common classroom.
We work toward a common goal.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'common' with 'public'; 'common' means shared, while 'public' means open to everyone without restriction.
Meaning
shared by others
Collocations
common ground
|common interest
|common goal
|common area
Synonyms
shared (Directly emphasizes that something is divided among people.)
|
mutual (Often used when both sides equally share feelings or interests.)
Antonyms
exclusive (Restricted to one person or group only.)
Themes
society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Owned or used by more than one person or group.
Belonging to or shared by two or more people, groups, or things.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is common
He rose from a common background to become a leader.
Egyszerű családi háttérből indulva vezetővé vált.
The novel tells the story of a common soldier during the war.
A regény egy egyszerű katona történetét meséli el a háború idején.
Common folk rarely had access to such luxuries.
Learner examples
She was born into a common family.
Egyszerű családba született.
He is just a common worker.
Ő csak egy egyszerű munkás.
I am a common student at the university.
Meaning
ordinary or not special
Collocations
common man
|common folk
|common soldier
Synonyms
ordinary (Neutral term for not special or unusual.)
|
typical (Highlights being representative of the usual case.)
Antonyms
elite (Refers to people with superior status or ability.)
Themes
society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Ordinary, not special or different from others.
Not distinguished by rank, position, or special quality; ordinary.
NOUN
C1
4
The villagers gathered on the common for the festival.
A falusiak a falu közös használatú területén gyűltek össze az ünnepségre.
Cows grazed freely on the village common.
A tehenek szabadon legeltek a falu közlegelőjén.
The protest was held on the town common.
Learner examples
Children play on the village common.
A gyerekek a falu közös területén játszanak.
People meet on the town common.
Az emberek a város közös területén találkoznak.
She walked across the common to the shop.
Meaning
public land area for community use
Collocations
village common
|town common
Synonyms
green (Used in British English for a grassy public area in a village or town.)
Themes
geography
|nature
|daily_life
Definition
Land that everyone in a village or town can use.
A piece of land belonging to or used by a community for public activities or grazing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
common
IPA
GB/kˈɑmən/
US/kˈɑmən/
Syllables & stress
com - mon (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: common
- Comparative: commoner
- Superlative: commonest
Noun
- Base: common
- Plural: commons
Word family
Forms
commons
noun
commoner
adjective
commonest
adjective
Core family
commonly
adverb B1
Related words
commonplace
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncommon
adjective B2
uncommonly
adverb
Advanced or less common
commonality
noun
commonness
noun
Expressions
common ground
1/kˈɑmən ɡɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
shared understanding or agreement basis
An area of agreement between people who disagree about other things.
Examples
- Negotiators worked hard to find common ground on trade issues.
- We need to establish some common ground before we can move forward.
in common
1/ˈɪn kˈɑmən/
fixed phrase
sharing characteristics or interests
When two or more people have the same interests, experiences, etc.
Examples
- We have a lot in common when it comes to music.
- The two cities have little in common apart from their size.
the commons
1/ðə kˈɑmənz/
fixed phrase
collective resources for public use
Things like land, air, and water that everyone can use and share.
Examples
- Overfishing is a classic example of the tragedy of the commons.
- The park is part of the city's commons and open to all.