commonality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, academic, technical.
Quick answer
What does “commonality” mean?
The state of sharing features or attributes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of sharing features or attributes; a shared characteristic.
A general quality or characteristic found in all members of a group; the fact of being ordinary or widespread.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or grammatical differences. Both varieties use the word identically.
Connotations
In British English, it may be perceived as slightly more formal or technical. In American business/tech contexts, it can be a buzzword for shared resources or platforms.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in corporate, military, and systems engineering contexts (e.g., 'component commonality').
Grammar
How to Use “commonality” in a Sentence
[commonality] between X and Y[commonality] of interest/experience/purpose[commonality] in terms of Xdemonstrate/show a [commonality]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commonality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two systems commonalise several key components.
- The goal is to commonalise the design across the fleet.
American English
- The two systems commonalize several key components.
- The goal is to commonalize the design across the fleet.
adjective
British English
- The commonality analysis revealed shared protocols.
- They have a commonality agreement on spare parts.
American English
- The commonality analysis revealed shared protocols.
- They have a commonality agreement on spare parts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to discuss shared processes, platforms, or goals to increase efficiency (e.g., 'We aim for greater commonality in our software components across product lines.').
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, and linguistics to discuss shared traits among groups or languages (e.g., 'The study explored the cultural commonalities across the region.').
Everyday
Used to discuss shared experiences or interests in personal relationships (e.g., 'Despite our different backgrounds, we found a real commonality in our love of music.').
Technical
Used in engineering, computing, and military procurement to refer to shared parts or standards (e.g., 'The new fighter jets have a high degree of commonality with existing models to reduce maintenance costs.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commonality”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “commonality”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commonality”
- Using 'commonality' as a synonym for 'majority' (e.g., 'The commonality of people agree' - INCORRECT).
- Misspelling as 'commonality' or 'commonality'.
- Using it in an excessively informal context where 'something in common' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Commonality' specifically refers to a feature that is *shared* or *possessed jointly* by two or more entities, emphasizing the unifying aspect. 'Similarity' is broader, describing things that are alike but not necessarily sharing the exact same attribute.
It is common in formal, academic, and technical writing (C1/C2 level). In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use phrases like 'something in common' or 'shared feature.'
Yes. You can have 'a commonality' (one shared feature) or 'commonalities' (multiple shared features). For example: 'The study listed three key commonalities.'
Yes, the plural is 'commonalities' (e.g., 'We explored the cultural commonalities between the two nations.').
The state of sharing features or attributes.
Commonality is usually formal, academic, technical. in register.
Commonality: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.əˈnæl.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.məˈnæl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMMON + ality = the STATE OF BEING COMMON (shared).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMONALITY IS A THREAD (connecting different elements); COMMONALITY IS A FOUNDATION (on which something is built).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'commonality' LEAST likely to be used?