commonly

American  

[kom-uhn-lee] / ˈkɒm ən li /

adverb

1. often; frequently.

   commonly used words.

2. usually; generally; ordinarily.

   Synonyms:

   routinely, customarily, normally

3. in a common manner.

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commonly British  

/ ˈkɒmənlɪ /

adverb

1. usually; ordinarily

   he was commonly known as Joe

2. derogatory in a coarse or vulgar way

   she dresses commonly

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Etymology

Origin of commonly

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English communeli(che); equivalent to common + -ly

Explanation

The adverb commonly is good for talking about something that usually or ordinarily happens. Mice, for example, are commonly afraid of cats. Commonly describes an action that's to be expected. You could say that the bus commonly picks you up fifteen minutes late, or that colds and flu are commonly passed around between kids at school. The earliest use of commonly, around 1300, was to mean "in a way common to all," from the adjective common, or "belonging to all." The Latin root communis means "in common, public, or shared by all or many."

Example Sentences

Commonly used software can model how a retiree’s portfolio will hold up in differing market scenarios, given certain rates of spending, tax rates, and life spans.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Commonly recognized as an orchestra instrument, the violin is one of mariachi’s main melodic components.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Commonly referred to as roundworms, nematodes are a diverse group of organisms found in almost every habitat on Earth.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2024

Commonly described as a box to box midfielder, she reads the game well and can change the outcome in an instant.

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2023

Commonly, the universe is naively imagined to follow human or animal precedent.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• frequently
• generally
• more often than not
• ordinarily
• regularly