plebs
Americannoun
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(in ancient Rome) the common people, as contrasted with the patricians and later with the senatorial nobility or the equestrian order.
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the common people; the populace.
noun
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(functioning as plural) the common people; the masses
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(functioning as singular or plural) common people of ancient Rome Compare patrician
Etymology
Origin of plebs
First recorded in 1640–50, plebs is from the Latin word plēbs, plēbēs
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I’m continually assaulted by images of the Kardashians, the ultimate hot-mom clan, who’ve set the bar for the rest of us plebs, showing off their sculpted figures and eerily frozen faces.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026
Much like The Bachelor, the entertainment value for us plebs is just watching a bunch of thirsty cities embarrass themselves.
From The Verge • May 22, 2020
Williams later clarified that he had already donated; nevertheless, it feels as if an awful lot of celebrities are more keen on soliciting money from us plebs than reaching into their own purses.
From The Guardian • Mar. 31, 2020
“It’s kind of nice that we plebs can truly connect with the rich and famous over these crappy dining choices and the horrific bowel movements that inevitably follow — there’s nothing more relatable than that.”
From Salon • Oct. 27, 2019
“She’s my director. I’m gonna have to start making appointments for you plebs to talk to her.”
From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
