common

adjective, noun adjective (commoner, commonest) HELPNOTE more common and most common are more frequent 1 happening often; existing in large numbers or in many places: Jackson is a common English name. * Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in this country. * Some kinds of birds which were once a common sight are now becoming rare. * a common spelling mistake * Allergies to milk are quite common in childhood. OPPUNCOMMON 2 [usuallybeforenoun] ~ (to sb/sth) shared by or belonging to two or more people or by the people in a group: They share a common interest in photography. * basic features which are common to all human languages * We are working together for a common purpose. * common ownership of the land * This decision was taken for the common good (= the advantage of everyone). * It is, by common consent, Scotland's prettiest coast (= everyone agrees that it is). 3 [onlybeforenoun] ordinary; not unusual or special: the common garden frog * Shakespeare's work was popular among the common people in his day. * In most people's eyes she was nothing more than a common criminal. * You'd think he'd have the common courtesy to apologize (= this would be the polite behaviour that people would expect). * It's only common decency to let her know what's happening (= people would expect it). 4 (BrE, disapproving) typical of sb from a low social class and not having good manners: She thought he was very common and uneducated. IDIOMS common or garden (BrE) (AmE garden-variety) (informal) ordinary; with no special features the common touch the ability of a powerful or famous person to talk to and understand ordinary people make common cause with sb (formal) to be united with sb about sth that you both agree on, believe in or wish to achieve moreatKNOWLEDGE

1 [C] an area of open land in a town or village that anyone may use: We went for a walk on the common. * Wimbledon Common 2 (commons) [sing.] (AmE) a large room where students can eat in a school, college, etc: The commons is next to the gym. IDIOMS have sth in common (with sb) (of people) to have the same interests, ideas, etc. as sb else: Jane and I have nothing in common. / I have nothing in common with Jane. have sth in common (with sth) (of things, places, etc.) to have the same features, characteristics, etc: The two cultures have a lot in common. in common (technical) by everyone in a group: They hold the property as tenants in common. in common with sb/sth (formal) in the same way as sb/sth: Britain, in common with many other industrialized countries, has experienced major changes over the last 100 years.