common noun

noun

Synonyms of common nounnext
: a noun that may occur with limiting modifiers (such as a or an, some, every, and my) and that designates any one of a class of beings or things

Examples of common noun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jacob believed that the capitalization of common nouns was an inorganic import and did away with it, a choice that inspired parodies in the German press. — Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 But perhaps even worse is the alternate fashion of just using common nouns as names, for example, Rust, Ruby, and Scheme. — Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1561, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of common noun was in 1561

Rhymes for common noun

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Browse Nearby Words

common nightshade
common noun
common of digging
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Cite this Entry

“Common noun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20noun. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

common noun

noun
: a noun (as chair or fear) that names a class of persons or things or any individual of a class
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