Meaning & use
plebeian
Last updated
Belonging to or characteristic of ordinary people, especially as opposed to the upper class; sometimes used to mean common or unrefined.
See it in a sentence
He dismissed the fast-food chain as too plebeian for his taste.
In ancient Rome, plebeian citizens had fewer rights than the patrician class.
A note on using this word
Originated as a term for the common citizens of ancient Rome; in modern use it often carries a snobbish, insulting edge.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
aristocraticpatrician
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plebeian”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.