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Definition of commonplace

commonplace

/ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
com · mon · place

Plural:commonplaces
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commonplace Lexical Profile

commonplace Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not unusual; occurring, found, or done often and therefore not attracting special attention.

Example

"Remote work has become commonplace across many professional industries over the past decade."


2

Lacking originality, distinctiveness, or fresh interest; dull and unremarkable.

Example

"The critic dismissed the novel's plot as a collection of commonplace observations about suburban life."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

An ordinary, familiar, or widely accepted event, fact, or topic.

Example

"Instantaneous global communication is now a commonplace of modern society."


2

A trite, obvious, or unoriginal remark or idea; a platitude.

Example

"After exchanging a few polite commonplaces about the weather, they turned to the main agenda."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-16th century as a loan translation of the Latin phrase 'locus communis' (which itself translated Ancient Greek 'koinos topos'), originally referring to a generally applicable rhetorical argument or notable literary passage recorded for future reference.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Commonplace. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/commonplace
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