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Commonplace[1] - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
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commonplace


1com·mon·place

noun \ˈkä-mən-ˌplās\

: an idea, expression, remark, etc., that is not new or interesting

: something that happens or appears in many places and is not unusual

Full Definition of COMMONPLACE

1
archaic :  a striking passage entered in a commonplace book
2
a :  an obvious or trite comment :  truism
b :  something commonly found

Examples of COMMONPLACE

  1. It is a commonplace that we only use a small part of our brain's capacity.
  2. We now accept cell phones and laptop computers as commonplaces of everyday life.

Origin of COMMONPLACE

translation of Latin locus communis widely applicable argument, translation of Greek koinos topos
First Known Use: 1561

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

2commonplace

adjective

: happening or appearing in many places and not unusual : very common or ordinary

Full Definition of COMMONPLACE

:  commonly found or seen :  ordinary, unremarkable <a commonplace occurrence> <the large mergers that had become commonplace>
com·mon·place·ness noun

Examples of COMMONPLACE

  1. Drug use has become commonplace at rock concerts.
  2. He photographed commonplace objects like lamps and bowls.

First Known Use of COMMONPLACE

1609

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

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