Commons vs. Common: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 20, 2024
"Commons" refers to shared resources or public lands, while "common" means something ordinary or frequent.
Key Differences
"Commons" typically refers to resources shared by a community, such as public parks, libraries, or grazing lands. These are collectively owned or managed resources accessible to all members of a community. "Common," on the other hand, is an adjective describing something that is usual or frequently encountered, such as common interests or common phrases.
Historically, "commons" comes from the medieval practice of communities sharing land for grazing and farming. This concept has evolved to include modern public goods like air and water. "Common" stems from the Latin word "communis," meaning shared by all or many, emphasizing its use to describe something widespread.
"Commons" has a specific connotation in political and economic discussions, often associated with the concept of "the tragedy of the commons," where shared resources can be depleted through individual self-interest. "Common" lacks this economic or political weight, simply referring to something typical or widespread.
"Commons" is a plural noun often used in a legal or historical context, such as "the village commons" or "digital commons." "Common," however, is an adjective and can be used in various contexts to describe nouns, such as "common courtesy" or "common knowledge."
In literature and language, "commons" can refer to a dining hall in a college or a communal space. Meanwhile, "common" might describe language or idioms understood by the majority, like "a common language."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Shared resources or public lands
Ordinary or frequent
Usage
Noun
Adjective
Context
Political, economic, communal
General, descriptive
Historical Origin
Medieval practice of shared land
Latin "communis" meaning shared
Examples
"The village commons"
"Common courtesy"
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Commons and Common Definitions
Commons
Shared public resources.
The community worked together to maintain the commons.
Common
Frequently occurring or widespread.
It’s common to see people jogging in the park.
Commons
Digital or cultural resources shared by a community.
Open-source software is part of the digital commons.
Common
Ordinary or not exceptional.
He has a very common name.
Commons
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Common
Shared by multiple people or things.
They found common ground on the issue.
Commons
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Common
Belonging to or affecting the community at large.
Common sense suggests wearing a coat in cold weather.
Commons
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Common
Standard or usual.
It's common practice to greet guests at the door.
Commons
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Common
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Commons
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Common
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Commons
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Common
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Commons
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Common
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Commons
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Common
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Commons
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Common
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Commons
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Common
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Commons
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Common
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Commons
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Common
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Commons
The social class composed of commoners.
Common
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Commons
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Common
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Commons
Commons The House of Commons.
Common
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Commons
A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole
A band concert on the village common.
Common
The social class composed of commoners.
Commons
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
Common
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Commons
Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Common
Commons The House of Commons.
Commons
Common stock.
Common
A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole
A band concert on the village common.
Commons
(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.
Common
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
Commons
Plural of common
Common
Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Commons
A dining hall, usually at a college or university.
Common
Common stock.
Commons
A central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area, a common.
The Renaissance festival started with the "peasants" meeting in the commons.
The commons is the green space surrounded by the village hall, the school, and the church.
The commons of New England towns are important contributors to their charm.
Common
(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.
Commons
(figuratively) The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information.
Res communis
"The tragedy of the commons" is that none wish to make sacrifices of their or their family's interests for the common good.
Common
Mutual; shared by more than one.
The two competitors have the common aim of winning the championship.
Winning the championship is an aim common to the two competitors.
Commons
The common people collectively, the third estate, the people not belonging to the nobility or clergy
Common
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
It is common to find sharks off this coast.
Commons
The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.
Common
Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.
Commoner used to be commoner, but more common is now more common.
Sharks are common in these waters.
It differs from the common blackbird in the size of its beak.
Commons
An outhouse.
Common
(grammar) Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.
Commons
Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.
Common
(grammar) Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.
Commons
Food in general; rations.
Short commons
Common
Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal, i.e., common name vs. scientific name.
Commons
The mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled classes or nobility; the commonalty; the common people.
'T is like the commons, rude unpolished hinds,Could send such message to their sovereign.
The word commons in its present ordinary signification comprises all the people who are under the rank of peers.
Common
(obsolete) Profane; polluted.
Commons
The House of Commons, or lower house of the British Parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities.
It is agreed that the Commons were no part of the great council till some ages after the Conquest.
Common
(obsolete) Given to lewd habits; prostitute.
Commons
Provisions; food; fare, - as that provided at a common table in colleges and universities.
Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing scant.
Common
Mutual good, shared by more than one.
Commons
A club or association for boarding at a common table, as in a college, the members sharing the expenses equally; as, to board in commons.
Common
A tract of land in common ownership; common land.
Commons
A common; public pasture ground.
To shake his ears, and graze in commons.
Common
The people; the community.
Commons
A piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;
They went for a walk in the park
Common
(legal) The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Commons
A pasture subject to common use
Common
(obsolete) To communicate (something).
Commons
Class composed of persons lacking noble or knightly or gentle rank
Common
(obsolete) To converse, talk.
Commons
Areas of land for communal use.
The sheep grazed on the village commons.
Common
(obsolete) To have sex.
Commons
Public dining areas in institutions.
Students gathered in the commons for lunch.
Common
(obsolete) To participate.
Commons
Historical communal land.
The town’s history includes the establishment of several commons.
Common
(obsolete) To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
(obsolete) To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
Belonging or relating equally, or similarly, to more than one; as, you and I have a common interest in the property.
Though life and sense be common to men and brutes.
Common
Belonging to or shared by, affecting or serving, all the members of a class, considered together; general; public; as, properties common to all plants; the common schools; the Book of Common Prayer.
Such actions as the common good requireth.
The common enemy of man.
Common
Often met with; usual; frequent; customary.
Grief more than common grief.
Common
Profane; polluted.
What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Common
Given to habits of lewdness; prostitute.
A dame who herself was common.
Common
The people; the community.
Common
An inclosed or uninclosed tract of ground for pleasure, for pasturage, etc., the use of which belongs to the public; or to a number of persons.
Common
The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; - so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Common
To converse together; to discourse; to confer.
Embassadors were sent upon both parts, and divers means of entreaty were commoned of.
Common
To participate.
Common
To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
A piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;
They went for a walk in the park
Common
Belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public;
For the common good
Common lands are set aside for use by all members of a community
Common
Of no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered; average or ordinary or usual;
The common man
A common sailor
The common cold
A common nuisance
Followed common procedure
It is common knowledge that she lives alone
The common housefly
A common brand of soap
Common
Common to or shared by two or more parties;
A common friend
The mutual interests of management and labor
Common
Commonly encountered;
A common (or familiar) complaint
The usual greeting
Common
Of low or inferior quality or value;
Of what coarse metal ye are molded
Produced...the common cloths used by the poorer population
Common
To be expected; standard;
Common decency
FAQs
Can "commons" be used in singular form?
No, "commons" is typically used in plural to denote collective resources.
Is "common" always an adjective?
Yes, "common" is primarily used as an adjective.
What is the primary difference between "commons" and "common"?
"Commons" refers to shared resources, while "common" describes something ordinary or frequent.
What are some examples of "commons"?
Examples include public parks, libraries, and communal grazing lands.
What historical practice is associated with "commons"?
The medieval practice of sharing land for grazing and farming.
Can "commons" be a formal term?
Yes, it is often used in formal legal and economic discussions.
Does "common" have any legal implications?
Generally, no, "common" is a descriptive term without legal implications.
Is "common" used in scientific contexts?
Yes, "common" can describe frequently occurring phenomena in scientific contexts.
How is "common" used in everyday language?
It describes something usual or frequently encountered, like "common practice."
Can "commons" refer to digital resources?
Yes, "commons" can include digital resources shared by a community.
Is "common" used in literature?
Yes, "common" is used to describe widely understood language or idioms.
What does "common sense" mean?
Practical judgment derived from everyday experience.
Does "common" have multiple meanings?
Yes, it can mean frequent, ordinary, or shared.
How does "commons" relate to public goods?
"Commons" are a type of public good accessible to all members of a community.
Can "common" be used to describe interests?
Yes, such as in "common interests" shared by people.
Is "commons" used in modern technology contexts?
Yes, it refers to shared digital or cultural resources in technology.
Is "commons" used in environmental discussions?
Yes, it often refers to shared natural resources like air and water.
Can "common" describe behavior?
Yes, it can describe typical or expected behavior, like "common courtesy."
What is the "tragedy of the commons"?
A concept where individual use depletes shared resources, leading to collective loss.
Can "commons" refer to a physical space in institutions?
Yes, like a dining hall or common area in colleges.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
