common noun

noun

, Grammar.

1. a noun that may be preceded by an article or other limiting modifier and that denotes any or all of a class of entities and not an individual, as man, city, horse, music.

common noun

noun

1. grammar a noun that refers to each member of a whole class sharing the features connoted by the noun, as for example planet, orange, and drum Compare proper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of common noun¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The proper noun when spoken can be confused for the common noun.

From The Daily Beast

The common noun was made a proper name, and a legend by degrees attached to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus "John Smith" (particular; proper noun) and "Man" (general; common noun).

From Project Gutenberg

A common noun is the name given to an object to denote the class to which it belongs; as, book, man.

From Project Gutenberg

A common noun is a name possessed by any one of a class of persons, animals, or things.

From Project Gutenberg

The, when placed before the pluralized abstract noun, marks it as half abstract or a common noun.

From Project Gutenberg