adjective / noun
commonplace
KAH-mun-plays/ˈkɑːmənpleɪs/
Ordinary and lacking distinctive originality.
A mailbox and parked bicycle form a commonplace neighborhood scene.
Etymology
Common and place originally named a general topic applicable to many cases. From a generally accepted or regularly repeated statement, commonplace developed the adjectival sense of lacking originality, hence ordinary or unremarkable.
In context
the train was due to arrive at the junction with 25 minutes to spare for the London Express. On all ordinary occasions, it jogged along in a commonplace fashion and turned up to time.
More examples
- Online meetings are commonplace in many offices.
- Her speech is full of commonplaces about hard work.
- He turns a commonplace observation into a memorable poem.
Forms
commonplace · commonplaces
commonplaceness noun — The quality of being ordinary or unoriginal.