commoner

[ kom-uh-ner ]

noun

1. a common person, as distinguished from one with rank, status, etc.
2. British.
   1. any person ranking below a peer; a person without a title of nobility.
   2. a member of the House of Commons.
   3. (at Oxford and some other universities) a student who pays the cost to dine at the commons and other expenses and is not supported by any scholarship or foundation.
3. a person who has a joint right in common land.

commoner

/ ˈkɒmənə /

noun

1. a person who does not belong to the nobility
2. a person who has a right in or over common land jointly with another or others
3. a student at a university or other institution who is not on a scholarship

Word History and Origins

Origin of commoner¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; common + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

In any case, the ball game transcended into a true spectator sport that attracted kings, nobles, and throngs of commoners among audiences, while pitting city-states against each other that usually took a political turn.

From Realm of History

For example, each winter, Canada’s Northwest Coast Kwakiutl hunter-gatherers built wooden structures where nobles ruled over designated commoners and enslaved people, and held banquets called potlatch.

From Science News

Women cannot inherit the throne themselves, and a female royal who marries a commoner loses her title and noble status, as in the case of Mako.

From Time

The elites weren’t taller because of their genes—the commoners were just shorter out of deprivation.

From Nautilus

Sowada’s team would like to see how other commoners from ancient Egypt were mummified.

From Science News For Students

George is the first offspring of a “commoner” in 350 years to become heir to the throne.

From The Daily Beast

The new Queen of Spain, 41-year old Letizia Ortiz, was not just born a commoner, but she was also divorced.

From The Daily Beast

Prince William was hailed as a mould-breaker for marrying a commoner—Kate Middleton—a woman with no noble blood.

From The Daily Beast

For the new Queen of Spain, 41-year old Letizia Ortiz, was not just born a commoner, but she was also divorced.

From The Daily Beast

The king feared that had Prince Bertil married a commoner, the royal dynasty's survival would be jeopardised.

From The Daily Beast

According to this account the scales of the lyre (the simpler and commoner instrument) were of two kinds.

From Project Gutenberg

This was avowed by the great commoner, Pitt himself, the special friend of America.

From Project Gutenberg

Neither do large deeds and very clear thinking—which, stout hearts being commoner than unmuddled brains, is lucky for us.

From Project Gutenberg

A simple scene, in all truth; none commoner in the world; it really did not matter who saw.

From Project Gutenberg

If he is a commoner, he eats with his knife; if a gentleman, with his fork.

From Project Gutenberg