vulgus

Examples

• All

• The local knowledge of the vulgus enables him to identify the saints at the translation with confidence.

  Academic text (2018)

• Freedom, Antonio, cannot be conferred upon the profanum vulgus—that is to say, the common riffraff—by fiat alone.

  Fiction book (1995)

• The artist criticized the elites for ignoring the opinions of the vulgus who flocked to the gallery.

• During the festival, the vulgus celebrated with music and dance in the streets.

Synonyms

C

common people

vsvulgus

16 1.3

People who are not rich or powerful

is similar but sometimes suggests lack of refinement or culture

M

multitude

vsvulgus

15 5.6

A large group of ordinary people in a society

focuses on social standing and cultural traits not mere size

H

hoi polloi

vsvulgus

4 9.0

People in a society who are not rich or powerful

is similar but can stress low social refinement

T

the great unwashed

vsvulgus

• Offensive

3 8.8

Ordinary people who richer, more powerful people often talk about in a rude way

is similar but is less funny and less openly insulting

M

masses

vsvulgus

2 2.3

Ordinary people in a society who are not rich or powerful

is similar but sometimes implies they lack culture

V

vulgo

vsvulgus

• Archaic

9.9

Ordinary people in a society

is used more generally and can imply lack of culture

C

commonalty

vsvulgus

• Archaic

9.9

Ordinary people who are not rulers or priests, especially in old times

applies more broadly beyond historical class systems

Surface Forms

Etymology