plebeian

American  

[pli-bee-uhn, plee-bee-uhn] / plɪˈbi ən, ˈpliˌbi ən /

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the common people.

2. of, relating to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.

3. common, commonplace, or vulgar.

   a plebeian joke.

   Synonyms:

   popular , ordinary , low , lowbrow

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noun

1. a member of the common people.

2. a member of the ancient Roman plebs.

plebeian British  

/ pləˈbiːən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the common people, esp those of Rome

2. lacking refinement; vulgar

   plebeian tastes

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noun

1. one of the common people, esp one of the Roman plebs

2. a person who is coarse or lacking in discernment

Other Word Forms

• plebeianism noun
• plebeianly adverb
• plebeianness noun
• unplebeian adjective

Etymology

Origin of plebeian

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin plēbēi(us) “of the plebs” ( plēbē(s) “the common people” + -ius adjective suffix) + -an adjective suffix; plebs

Example Sentences

All the enlightened reformers in Europe were desperately trying to eliminate the peasant peculiarities and plebeian dialects that divided the peoples of their nations.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet even those of us with plebeian intellects can enjoy ingenious murders and cozy mayhem — especially on these long nights of winter.

From Washington Post

The point, mostly, is that people have trouble letting go — and we plebeians watching them are split between hurrying them out the door and grabbing their sleeves so they won’t leave.

From Washington Post

What Brady loves most, far more than a Tag Heuer, is the plebeian surroundings of a locker room, the simple no-frills atmosphere with a brotherhood in egalitarian sweats.

From Washington Post

But, for those of you not afraid to take a more plebeian approach to celebration, may I suggest an alternative effervescent explosion: the sake bomb.

From Seattle Times