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commonly

 - 2 dictionary results

com⋅mon⋅ly

[kom-uhn-lee]
–adverb
1. usually; generally; ordinarily.
2. in a common manner.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME communeli(che). See common, -ly


1. normally, customarily, routinely.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To commonly
com·mon   (kŏm'ən)   
adj.   com·mon·er, com·mon·est
    1. Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint: common interests.

    2. Of or relating to the community as a whole; public: for the common good. See Usage Note at mutual.

    3. Occurring frequently or habitually; usual.

    4. Most widely known; ordinary: the common housefly.

    5. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average: the common spectator.

    6. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.

    7. Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate: common cloth.

    8. Either masculine or feminine in gender.

    9. Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

  1. Widespread; prevalent.

    1. Occurring frequently or habitually; usual.

    2. Most widely known; ordinary: the common housefly.

    3. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average: the common spectator.

    4. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.

    5. Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate: common cloth.

    6. Either masculine or feminine in gender.

    7. Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

  2. Having no special designation, status, or rank: a common sailor.

    1. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average: the common spectator.

    2. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.

    3. Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate: common cloth.

    4. Either masculine or feminine in gender.

    5. Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

  3. Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar: behavior that branded him as common.

  4. Grammar

    1. Either masculine or feminine in gender.

    2. Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

n.  
  1. commons The common people; commonalty.

  2. commons (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

    1. The social class composed of commoners.

    2. The parliamentary representatives of this class.

  3. The House of Commons. Often used in the plural.

  4. A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole: a band concert on the village common.

  5. The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.

  6. commons (used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.

  7. Common stock.

  8. Ecclesiastical A service used for a particular class of festivals.


[Middle English commune, from Old French commun, from Latin commūnis; see mei-1 in Indo-European roots.]
com'mon·ly adv., com'mon·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives describe what is generally known or frequently encountered. Common applies to what takes place often, is widely used, or is well known: The botanist studied the common dandelion.
The term also implies coarseness or a lack of distinction: My wallet was stolen by a common thief.
Ordinary describes something usual that is indistinguishable from others, sometimes derogatorily: A ballpoint pen is adequate for ordinary purposes. The critic gave the ordinary performance a mediocre review.
Familiar applies to what is well known or quickly recognized: Most children can recite familiar nursery rhymes.
Vulgar describes association with the great mass of people and often connotes lack of refinement: "He [Shakespeare] was not something sacred and aloof from the vulgar herd of men" (William Hazlitt). See Also Synonyms at general.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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