vox populi
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of vox populi
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin vōx populī, equivalent to vōx “voice” + populī, genitive singular of populus people; see also voice ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The "best cinematic and box office achievement" category makes its first appearance this year, acknowledging the vox populi as a determinant of defining good moviemaking.
From Salon ● Dec. 12, 2023
And although Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t listen to sports radio and devour the tabloids, he’s kept abreast of the vox populi by nephew Stephen Swindal Jr., assistant director of player development.
From Washington Times ● Feb. 7, 2019
His rationale, at least online, was rooted in the vox populi and not his doctoral dissertation on the “Rise of Reagan’s America”.
From The Guardian ● May 6, 2016
And already, the vox populi was able to recognize when someone had mishandled it in such a way as to be screamingly offensive.
From Time ● Jan. 23, 2014
While I am fascinated by the linguistic exuberance of the vox populi, I’d be the first to argue that having prescriptive rules is desirable, indeed indispensable, in many arenas of writing.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
