plebeian

UK: /pləˈbiːən/ US: /plɪˈbiən/ ,(pli bē′ən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ple•be•ian /plɪˈbiən/   adj. 

1. of or relating to the common people.
2. commonplace;
   vulgar:
   Your taste in humor is so plebeian.

n. [countable]

3. a member of the common people.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ple•be•ian  (pli bē′ən), adj. 

1. belonging or pertaining to the common people.
2. Ancient History of, pertaining to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
3. common, commonplace, or vulgar:
   a plebeian joke.

n. 

4. a member of the common people.
5. Ancient History a member of the ancient Roman plebs.

• Latin plēbēi(us) of the plebs (plēbē(s) plebs + -ius adjective, adjectival suffix) + -an
• 1525–35

ple•be′ian•ism, n. 
ple•be′ian•ly, adv. 
ple•be′ian•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. lowbrow, low, ordinary, popular.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

plebeian / pləˈbiːən/ adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the common people, esp those of Rome
2. lacking refinement; vulgar: plebeian tastes

noun

1. one of the common people, esp one of the Roman plebs
2. a person who is coarse or lacking in discernment

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin plēbēius belonging to the people, from plēbs the common people of ancient Rome

pleˈbeianˌism noun