plebeian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Historical, Often Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “plebeian” mean?
Of or belonging to the common people of ancient Rome.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of or belonging to the common people of ancient Rome; by extension, of low social class or lacking refinement.
1. (adj.) Of or associated with ordinary people, often with connotations of being coarse, unrefined, or lacking in taste or culture. 2. (n.) A member of the common people, especially in ancient Rome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. The word is equally formal/archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally carries strong connotations of class distinction and cultural snobbery in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and literary in both UK and US English. More likely found in academic history, political commentary, or literary criticism than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “plebeian” in a Sentence
Plebeian + noun (e.g., plebeian attitude)Verb + plebeian (e.g., consider something plebeian)Of + plebeian + noun (e.g., of plebeian birth)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plebeian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used. 'Plebeianly'] The furniture was plebeianly crafted.
American English
- [Rarely used. 'Plebeianly'] He ate his steak plebeianly, without regard for etiquette.
adjective
British English
- His plebeian accent marked him out in the Oxford common room.
- She dismissed the holiday camp as a plebeian form of entertainment.
American English
- The critic derided the film's plebeian humor.
- Despite his wealth, his plebeian manners were obvious.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in critical commentary on mass-market, low-cost strategies: 'The brand was criticised for its plebeian marketing tactics.'
Academic
Common in historical texts (Roman history) and socio-cultural analysis discussing class and taste: 'The conflict between patrician and plebeian orders defined early Roman politics.'
Everyday
Very rare. Used jokingly or pejoratively to mock something as common or lowbrow: 'Oh, drinking instant coffee? How plebeian.'
Technical
Primarily a historical term for the Roman social class. Used in art/literary criticism to denote a lack of aesthetic sophistication.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “plebeian”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plebeian”
- Misspelling: 'plebian' (missing the second 'e').
- Mispronunciation: /ˈpliː.bi.ən/ (stress on first syllable). Correct is /plɪˈbiː.ən/.
- Using it in neutral contexts where 'common' or 'popular' would be more appropriate and less offensive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is often derogatory and snobbish. It expresses a negative judgment about someone's social background or taste. Use with caution.
Both refer to common people. 'Plebeian' is ancient Roman and carries a cultural/refinement judgment. 'Proletarian' is modern (Marxist), referring specifically to the industrial working class.
Yes, primarily in a historical context: 'The plebeians demanded political representation.' As a modern noun, it's rarer and equally derogatory: 'He was a plebeian among aristocrats.'
Use it only in clearly historical (Roman) contexts, or in academic/satirical writing where the class-based criticism is the explicit subject. In everyday conversation, using words like 'mainstream', 'popular', or 'everyday' is safer and less judgmental.
Of or belonging to the common people of ancient Rome.
Plebeian is usually formal, literary, historical, often derogatory in register.
Plebeian: in British English it is pronounced /plɪˈbiː.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /plɪˈbiː.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the word itself is used in a figurative sense]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PLEB' + 'ian'. A 'pleb' (short for plebeian) is often used informally as an insult for someone common or unsophisticated. The '-ian' makes it adjective/noun.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS HEIGHT (low-born), REFINEMENT IS PURITY/CLEANLINESS (coarse, vulgar).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'plebeian' used most appropriately?