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commoner
noun
com·mon·er
ˈkä-mə-nər
1
a
: one of the common people
b
: one who is not of noble rank
2
: a student (as at Oxford) who pays for his own board
Synonyms
Examples of commoner in a Sentence
a prince who married a commoner
Recent Examples on the Web
The fledglings were savored by the nobility and the clergy, who, according to Fritz’s research, passed decrees to keep commoners from killing them, to preserve them for themselves.
—
Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Despite being a commoner, Harald broke his father’s rule and began dating Sonja, but Olav ordered Harald to cut off contact with her once he was made aware of their relationship.
—
Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
One of the best-known is Thomas Wolsey, who became Lord Chancellor of England in the 16th century under King Henry VIII, despite being a commoner.
—
Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025
Glen Cavaliero, a fellow commoner at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and president of the Powys Society, was intrigued by a reference to Paul in Powys’s letters, tracked her books down, and included her in his study of English supernatural fiction for Oxford University Press.
—
Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of commoner was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing commoner
Dictionary Entries Near commoner
Cite this Entry
“Commoner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commoner. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
commoner
noun
com·mon·er
ˈkäm-ə-nər
: one of the common people : a person who is not of noble rank
Biographical Definition
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