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

• plebeians
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• plebeians
  plural

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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; see plebs

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Explanation

In Roman times, the lower class of people was the plebeian class. Today, if something is plebeian, it is of the common people. When you hear the word plebeian used to describe a form of art or taste, it means that while something is liked by a lot of people, it may not be of the highest quality or taste. Both soap operas and reality television shows have been described as plebeian forms of entertainment. A member of the plebeian class is known as a pleb, which is pronounced "pleeb."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plebeian plebeians

Capacious Rolls-Royces and Bentleys rub bumpers with plebeian Honda Civics and Fiats, all seeking streetside spaces.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

But the filmmakers have given him an all-access pass, from plebeian alleyways to marbled halls of power, and he is forever walking in unannounced on people who could literally have his head.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024

It has roots in both scholarly tea parties and plebeian street-side “tiger stoves” that sold hot water for brewing tea at home and then started setting up stools so customers could linger.

From New York Times ● Oct. 12, 2021

But the policy is not being implemented at the equally delicious but more plebeian Shake Shack chain, a separate company that he founded and whose board he chairs.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 5, 2021

And no one need fear that the numbers are being cooked either, since they appear in the prestigious Wall Street Journal, as well as in more plebeian papers.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Can’t Ms. Schmidt muster sympathy for plebeians renting a studio for $3,000?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

Gladiatorial culture developed with the rise of what were known as games, or those events put on by elite Romans for plebeians and others socially beneath them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

But there are good deals for us plebeians if you know where to look.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 19, 2023

While the common people of ancient Rome were called plebeians, which word was used for a member of the Roman aristocracy?

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2023

The ignobiles were not permitted to use any image, and therefore stood upon an equality with modern plebeians, who bear no arms but the two assigned them by the heraldry of nature.

From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Mark Antony Lower

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