pleb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to medium in informal contextsInformal, slang, pejorative
Quick answer
What does “pleb” mean?
A person of low social status or lacking refinement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person of low social status or lacking refinement; a commoner.
In modern slang, especially in British English, used as a pejorative term to imply someone is uncultured, stupid, or behaves in a coarse manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More prevalent and charged in British English due to class consciousness; in American English, less common and used more loosely.
Connotations
In UK, strong class insult; in US, implies lack of sophistication without strong class overtones.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK colloquial speech.
Grammar
How to Use “pleb” in a Sentence
be called a plebrefer to as a plebconsider someone a plebVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pleb” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- pleb mentality
- pleb tastes
American English
- pleb attitude
- pleb humor
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; inappropriate in formal settings.
Academic
Not used in standard academic writing; may appear in historical or sociological contexts.
Everyday
Used in informal conversations, often pejoratively among friends or in insults.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pleb”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pleb”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pleb”
- Using it as a verb in formal writing
- Misapplying it in contexts where 'commoner' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal and often pejorative, so avoid using it in formal or polite conversation.
Yes, but it is less common and may not have the same strong class connotations as in British English.
It is a shortening of 'plebeian', from Latin 'plebeius', meaning common people, historically used in ancient Rome.
Use it only in informal contexts where insults are acceptable, and be aware of its derogatory nature, especially in British English.
A person of low social status or lacking refinement.
Pleb: in British English it is pronounced /plɛb/, and in American English it is pronounced /plɛb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PLEB sounds like 'plob' – imagine a blob-like, unrefined person.
Conceptual Metaphor
Society as a hierarchy with plebs at the bottom.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'pleb' in British English?