plebeian

[ pli-bee-uhn ]

/ plɪˈbi ən /

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.

Nearby words

Origin of plebeian

1525–35; < Latin plēbēi(us) of the plebs (plēbē(s) plebs + -ius adj. suffix) + -an

SYNONYMS FOR plebeian

3. lowbrow, low, ordinary, popular.

Related formsple·be·ian·ism, nounple·be·ian·ly, adverbple·be·ian·ness, nounun·ple·be·ian, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for plebeianism

What can be more admirable than this ‘de bon air’ plebeianism, and universal right-hand of fellowship?
Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, March 1844|Various

British Dictionary definitions for plebeianism

plebeian

/ (pləˈbiːən) /

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 Formsplebeianism, 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for plebeianism

plebeian

adj.

also plebian, "of or characteristic of the lower class," 1560s in a Roman historical sense, from Latin plebeius "belonging to the plebs," earlier plebes, "the populace, the common people" (as opposed to patricians, etc.), also "commonality; the mass, the multitude; the lower class," from PIE *ple- (see pleio-). In general (non-historical) use from 1580s.

plebeian

"member of the lowest class," 1530s, from Latin plebius "person not of noble rank," from adjective meaning "of the common people" (see plebeian (adj.)).