commonplace
commonplace
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "commonplace" is:
/ˈkɒmənˌpleɪs/ (Received Pronunciation)
/ˈkɑmənˌpleɪs/ (General American)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable:
/ˈkɒm/ or /ˈkɑm/:
/k/: voiceless velar plosive
/ɒ/ or /ɑ/: open back vowel (different pronunciations for RP and GA)
/m/: bilabial nasal
Second syllable:
/ən/:
/ə/: schwa
/n/: alveolar nasal
Third syllable:
/pleɪs/:
/p/: voiceless bilabial plosive
/l/: alveolar lateral liquid
/eɪ/: diphthong (close-mid front unrounded vowel to open-mid front unrounded vowel)
/s/: voiceless alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
"Commonplace" is primarily used as an adjective and a noun. There aren't any plural or singular variations for the word itself.
However, you can use it in different contexts to create variations:
As an adjective:
A commonplace occurrence
Commonplace ideas
As a noun:
A commonplace book (a notebook for recording notable thoughts or passages)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A remark or idea that is dull and unoriginal, or overly familiar and frequent.
Synonyms: cliché, truism, platitude
Antonyms: novelty, originality, innovation
Adjective:
Definition: Lacking originality or freshness; dull and ordinary.
Synonyms: trite, banal, hackneyed, prosaic
Antonyms: original, novel, fresh, unique
Examples of Use
In Books
Literary Fiction: "The once-extraordinary act of flight has become commonplace, a mere commute across the globe." (A hypothetical sci-fi novel)
Academic Textbooks: "It is a commonplace that the Industrial Revolution transformed society." (A history textbook)
In Newspapers and Online Publications
News Articles: "Cyberattacks have become a commonplace occurrence in the digital age." (The New York Times)
Blog Posts: "The idea that technology will solve all our problems is a tired, commonplace notion." (A technology blog)
In Entertainment
Movies: "The hero's journey is a commonplace theme in many films." (A film critic's review)
TV Shows: "The 'will they, won't they' trope is a commonplace in romantic comedies." (A TV show review)
Music: "The use of minor chords to convey sadness is a commonplace in popular music." (A music theory article)
In General Public Discourse
Everyday Conversation: "It's a commonplace that people should be kind to one another."
Social Media: "The 'humblebrag' has become a commonplace on social media platforms."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Commonplace
"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." — Charles Mingus
"To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity." — William Arthur Ward
"Eschew the ordinary, disdain the commonplace. If you have a single-minded need for something, let it be the unusual, the esoteric, the bizarre, the unexpected." — Chuck Jones
"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." — Cecil Beaton
"As a rule, said Holmes, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to identify." — Arthur Conan Doyle
"Originality is never embraced as quickly as the commonplace." — Franklyn Ajaye
"Standing ovations have become far too commonplace. What we need are ovations where the audience members all punch and kick one another." — George Carlin
"Nature is commonplace. Imitation is more interesting." — Gertrude Stein
"We look for visions of heaven and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace things and people around us." — Oswald Chambers
"Commonplace books are rarely compiled by commonplace people." — M.F.K. Fisher
Etymology
The word "commonplace" has a fascinating history. It comes from the Latin phrase "locus communis," which means "common place." This phrase was used by ancient Greek and Roman orators to describe a general idea or argument that could be applied to many different situations.
Over time, the meaning of "commonplace" shifted slightly. Today, it's often used to describe something that is ordinary, dull, or overused. For example, if you say, "It's a commonplace that people should be kind," you mean it's a well-known and often-repeated idea.
The first known use of the word "commonplace" in English was in the 16th century. It was used to describe a notebook where people would record interesting quotes, ideas, or observations.
So, the next time you hear someone say something is "commonplace," you'll know it's something that's been around for a long time and isn't very exciting or original.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Commonplace
While "commonplace" doesn't directly appear in many common phrases or idioms, we can explore related concepts and synonyms to find relevant expressions:
Using "Commonplace":
A commonplace occurrence: Something that happens frequently or regularly.
A commonplace idea: A widely held or accepted belief.
Using Synonyms (e.g., "ordinary," "typical," "banal"):
Ordinary course of events: The usual or expected way things happen.
A typical day: A normal, unexceptional day.
A banal statement: A trite or overused remark.
Related Idioms:
Run-of-the-mill: Ordinary or average.
Garden-variety: Common or typical.
Par for the course: Expected or normal.
Posts Related to Commonplace
Source Information
Definition of commonplace from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
