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

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

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

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 ● Nov. 21, 2025

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

This is what we can afford; but also there’s an unspoken rule that the food has to be unwaveringly plebeian.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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

When Rome was under threat, the plebeians could gain leverage with the patricians by refusing to fight until their demands were met.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

So while the riot of plebeians into which he had been absorbed streamed contentedly on to its own lowly place, Marsyas worked his way out of the crowd and approached the City of Love.

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth