The common man: meaning, definitions and examples

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the common man

 

[ ðə ˈkɒmən mæn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

everyday life

A person who represents the typical or average member of society, often viewed in contrast to the elite or privileged.

Synonyms

average person, everyman, ordinary person.

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Word Description / Examples
the common man

This term is often used in political or social discussions to refer to the regular people in society, especially in contrast to elites or those in power.

  • Politicians often claim to represent the interests of the common man.
  • The movie tells the story from the perspective of the common man.
average person

This phrase is used when talking about statistical or general references to an individual who reflects the common traits or characteristics found in a given population.

  • The average person can't afford a luxury car.
  • On average, the average person eats about three meals a day.
ordinary person

Used to describe someone who is not special or extraordinary in any specific way. It emphasizes the normality and everyday qualities of a person.

  • He saw himself as just an ordinary person, despite his achievements.
  • For an ordinary person, climbing that mountain would be a huge challenge.
everyman

Often used in literature and storytelling, it refers to a character who is intended to represent the ordinary, typical person, and with whom the audience can easily identify.

  • The hero of the story is an everyman who gets caught up in extraordinary events.
  • She writes stories about the everyman, making them relatable and poignant.

Examples of usage

  • He was a champion of the common man, fighting for the rights of the working class.
  • The politician claimed to understand the struggles of the common man, despite his own wealth.

Translations

Translations of the word "the common man" in other languages:

🇵🇹 o homem comum

🇮🇳 साधारण आदमी

🇩🇪 der gewöhnliche Mann

🇮🇩 orang biasa

🇺🇦 звичайна людина

🇵🇱 zwykły człowiek

🇯🇵 普通の人 (ふつうのひと)

🇫🇷 l'homme ordinaire

🇪🇸 el hombre común

🇹🇷 sıradan insan

🇰🇷 보통 사람 (botong saram)

🇸🇦 الرجل العادي

🇨🇿 obyčejný člověk

🇸🇰 obyčajný človek

🇨🇳 普通人 (pǔtōng rén)

🇸🇮 običajen človek

🇮🇸 venjulegur maður

🇰🇿 қарапайым адам

🇬🇪 ჩვეულებრივი ადამიანი

🇦🇿 adi insan

🇲🇽 el hombre común

Etymology

The term 'common man' has its origins in the late 18th century, during a time of social and political change. It emerged as a way to describe the ordinary person, distinct from the nobility or upper classes. The concept of the common man became central to democratic ideals and movements, emphasizing the importance of the average citizen in society.