# plebeian

> English word · Noun · IPA /pliˈbiːən/ · frequency rank #56,982

## Definitions
1. A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
2. A commoner, particularly (derogatory) a low, vulgar person.

## Etymology
From Latin plēbēius (“a commoner; common”) + -an (adjective-forming suffix), from Latin plēbēs + -ius (adjective-forming suffix), possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concerning the common people”). Cf. Medieval Latin plēbēiānus (“a commoner”), from plēbēius + -ānus.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/plebeian