plebeian

[ pli-bee-uhn, plee-bee-uhn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the common people.
2. of, relating to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
3. common, commonplace, or vulgar:

   a plebeian joke.

   Synonyms: popular, ordinary, low, lowbrow

noun

1. a member of the common people.
2. a member of the ancient Roman plebs.

plebeian

/ pləˈbiːən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the common people, esp those of Rome
2. lacking refinement; vulgar

   plebeian tastes

noun

1. one of the common people, esp one of the Roman plebs
2. a person who is coarse or lacking in discernment

Derived Forms

• pleˈbeianˌism, noun

Other Words From

• ple·be·ian·ism noun
• ple·be·ian·ly adverb
• ple·be·ian·ness noun
• un·ple·be·ian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebeian¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin plēbēi(us) “of the plebs” ( plēbē(s) “the common people” + -ius adjective suffix) + -an adjective suffix; plebs

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebeian¹

C16: from Latin plēbēius belonging to the people, from plēbs the common people of ancient Rome

Example Sentences

But the filmmakers have given him an all-access pass, from plebeian alleyways to marbled halls of power, and he is forever walking in unannounced on people who could literally have his head.

From Los Angeles Times

But the younger Mr. Begley, a longtime member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the Oscars, commuted to this year’s ceremony like a plebeian by taking the Los Angeles Metro.

From New York Times

Thus, gather we plebeian masses to hand over as a symbolic token of surrender this carefully folded American flag and welcome their high exaltednesses — the Great Jabbas of the technocratic confederacy, and the corporate jackboots whose leather we've come to polish with our wagging tongues.

From Salon

The skinny kid, who was born in Burbank, raised in Valencia and honed his game on the plebeian double-deck range at Griffith Park, was finally going Gucci: The 2013 Pac-12 tournament would be played at the LACC.

From Los Angeles Times

“Tucker got caught up. Got caught up like that dude from ‘Vanderpump Rules,’” the comedian joked as the cameras cut to Madix at the Daily Mail’s table, where the champagne had been upgraded from the Washington Hilton’s plebeian swill to Veuve Clicquot.

From Washington Post