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plebeian

[ pli-bee-uhn, plee-bee-uhn ]
/ plɪˈbi ən, ˈpliˌbi ən /
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See synonyms for: plebeian / plebeians on Thesaurus.com

adjective
belonging or pertaining to the common people.
of, relating to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
common, commonplace, or vulgar: a plebeian joke.
noun
a member of the common people.
a member of the ancient Roman plebs.
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Origin of plebeian

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin plēbēi(us) ā€œof the plebsā€ (plēbē(s) ā€œthe common peopleā€ + -ius adjective suffix) + -an adjective suffix; see plebs

OTHER WORDS FROM plebeian

pleĀ·beĀ·ianĀ·ism, nounpleĀ·beĀ·ianĀ·ly, adverbpleĀ·beĀ·ianĀ·ness, noununĀ·pleĀ·beĀ·ian, adjective

Words nearby plebeian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use plebeian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for plebeian

plebeian
/ (plÉ™Ėˆbiːən) /

adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the common people, esp those of Rome
lacking refinement; vulgarplebeian tastes
noun
one of the common people, esp one of the Roman plebs
a person who is coarse or lacking in discernment

Derived forms of plebeian

plebeianism, noun

Word Origin for plebeian

C16: from Latin plēbēius belonging to the people, from plēbs the common people of ancient Rome
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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