adjective
vulgar
Common among or characteristic of ordinary people.
The historian contrasts courtly traditions with the vulgar customs of everyday people.
Etymology
The Latin adjective means belonging to ordinary people. This historical sense preserves commonness without necessarily implying indecency or bad taste.
More examples
- The poet favors the vulgar tongue over formal Latin.
- The exhibit explores vulgar traditions passed down through working families.
- The scholar studies vulgar beliefs rather than official religious teachings.
Forms
vulgar
Similar words
- common
- Common emphasizes widespread use rather than association with ordinary people.
- popular
- Popular stresses acceptance or use among the general public.
- vernacular
- Vernacular chiefly describes the everyday language of a community.