communard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “communard” mean?
A member or supporter of the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical socialist and revolutionary government that briefly ruled Paris.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member or supporter of the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical socialist and revolutionary government that briefly ruled Paris.
A person who lives in or advocates for a commune (a group living arrangement sharing possessions and responsibilities), or a person adhering to communist or radical socialist principles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition. More likely to be encountered in British historical/academic texts due to geographic/cultural proximity to France.
Connotations
In both varieties, the primary connotation is historical. It can imply radicalism, rebellion, or utopian socialism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly higher recognisability in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “communard” in a Sentence
[Communard] of [the Paris Commune][Adjective] CommunardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “communard” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He held Communard sympathies long after the commune fell.
- The pamphlet expressed a distinctly Communard ideology.
American English
- She studied Communard principles of communal governance.
- The group's manifesto had a Communard flavour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or sociological texts discussing the Paris Commune or intentional communities.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would require a specific historical discussion.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “communard”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “communard”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “communard”
- Misspelling as 'comunard' or 'communnard'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'communist' without the historical/communal living nuance.
- Incorrect pronunciation: stress is on the first syllable: COM-mun-ard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. All Paris Communards were socialists/communists in a broad sense, but not all communists are communards. 'Communard' is a specific historical label for participants in the 1871 Paris Commune, though it can be extended to mean a commune member.
Yes, but it is a very rare and somewhat literary usage. Most people would say 'commune member' or 'commune dweller'. Using 'communard' evokes the historical precedent intentionally.
In American English, it is typically pronounced as /ˈkɑːmjənɑːrd/ (KOM-yuh-nard), with the first syllable like 'calm' and a slight 'y' sound before the 'n'.
It refers to a very specific historical event outside the English-speaking world. Its core meaning hasn't broadened significantly into common metaphorical use, unlike words like 'maverick' or 'boycott'.
A member or supporter of the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical socialist and revolutionary government that briefly ruled Paris.
Communard is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COMMUNe' + 'ARD' (as in 'bastard' – a harsh term used by opponents). A Communard was a member of the Paris Commune, viewed by enemies as an illegitimate radical.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORICAL REBEL IS A COMMUNARD (mapping from a specific historical group to the concept of radical rebellion).
Practice
Quiz
The term 'communard' most precisely refers to: