common
gb/kˈɑmən/ us/kˈɑmən/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
frequent or widespread
Happening a lot or in many places.
Usage pattern:
[something] is common
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'common' with 'normal'; 'common' means frequent or widespread, while 'normal' means usual or expected in a given situation.
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.)
Collocations
common problem
|common practice
|common mistake
|common interest
|common feature
Themes
daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It’s common for people to check their phones before bed.
- This plant is common in the southern regions of the country.
- 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.
- Rain is common in the spring.
- Dogs are common pets.
- English is a common language in business.
adjective
B1
property
2
shared by others
Owned or used by more than one person or group.
Usage pattern:
[something] is common to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'common' with 'public'; 'common' means shared, while 'public' means open to everyone without restriction.
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.)
Collocations
common ground
|common interest
|common goal
|common area
Themes
society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two countries share many common values.
- We need to find some common ground to move forward.
- They have a common goal of improving education.
- The apartment building has a common laundry room.
Learner examples
- We have a common hobby: painting.
- The two towns have a common history.
- The students share a common classroom.
- We work toward a common goal.
adjective
B2
property
3
ordinary or not special
Ordinary, not special or different from others.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is common
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.)
Collocations
common man
|common folk
|common soldier
Themes
society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He rose from a common background to become a leader.
- The novel tells the story of a common soldier during the war.
- Common folk rarely had access to such luxuries.
Learner examples
- She was born into a common family.
- He is just a common worker.
- I am a common student at the university.
Noun
C1
entity
4
public land area for community use
Land that everyone in a village or town can use.
Synonyms
green (Used in British English for a grassy public area in a village or town.)
Collocations
village common
|town common
Themes
geography
|nature
|daily_life
Examples
- The villagers gathered on the common for the festival.
- Cows grazed freely on the village common.
- The protest was held on the town common.
Learner examples
- Children play on the village common.
- People meet on the town common.
- She walked across the common to the shop.
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.