Common vs. Uncommon — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 30, 2024
Common refers to something frequently found, seen, or used, indicating widespread prevalence, while uncommon denotes rarity or infrequency, highlighting its deviation from the norm.
Difference Between Common and Uncommon
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Common things are encountered regularly in daily life, signifying their abundant presence or acceptance within a community, culture, or environment. They are characterized by their familiarity and routine appearance, making them easily recognizable and accessible to the majority. For instance, common practices or beliefs are shared by a large portion of a population, reflecting societal norms and values. On the other hand, uncommon things stand out due to their rarity or the infrequency with which they occur or are found. This rarity can make them unique, special, or noteworthy. Uncommon items or occurrences might not be widely known or experienced, and they often attract attention or interest precisely because they diverge from what is typical or expected.
The distinction between common and uncommon is not just a matter of numerical frequency but also of perception and context. What is considered common in one culture or environment might be uncommon in another, depending on local conditions, traditions, and experiences.
In the realm of ideas, products, or behaviors, being common often implies a level of acceptance or endorsement by a majority, whereas being uncommon can suggest novelty, uniqueness, or the potential for innovation. However, the value attributed to common versus uncommon things varies widely across different contexts, with some situations valuing rarity and others valuing ubiquity.
While commonness provides a sense of stability and predictability, the uncommon brings diversity and the unexpected into our lives. Both play important roles in shaping human experience, offering a balance between the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of discovery.
Comparison Chart
Frequency
Frequently encountered or observed.
Rarely encountered or observed.
ADVERTISEMENT
Perception
Seen as usual, normal, or standard.
Seen as unusual, special, or divergent.
Availability
Widely available or accessible.
Limited availability or harder to find.
Societal Role
Reflects societal norms and widespread acceptance.
Often highlights novelty, uniqueness, or innovation.
Value
Can be seen as ordinary due to prevalence.
May be valued for rarity or uniqueness.
Examples
Common words in a language, everyday objects.
Rare collectibles, unique natural phenomena.
Contextual Flexibility
What is common can vary greatly by context and culture.
Uncommon traits or items may gain commonality in specific niches or regions.
Impact on Experience
Provides a foundation of stability and predictability.
Introduces diversity, novelty, and the unexpected.
Compare with Definitions
Common
Often seen or experienced; not unusual.
Wearing jeans is common in many parts of the world.
Uncommon
Rarely occurring or found; unusual.
An albino deer is an uncommon sight in these woods.
Common
Frequent in occurrence; typical.
Cold weather is common in northern climates.
Uncommon
Limited in occurrence; infrequent.
Snow is uncommon in tropical climates.
Common
Shared by many people; widespread.
It's common knowledge that the Earth orbits the Sun.
Uncommon
Distinguished by uniqueness or rarity.
She has an uncommon talent for languages.
Common
Available to all; public.
Parks are common spaces for community activities.
Uncommon
Not typical; extraordinary.
It’s uncommon for him to arrive late to meetings.
Common
Generally accepted; standard.
Handshakes are a common greeting in many cultures.
Uncommon
Not widely known or experienced.
Discovering such an ancient artifact is uncommon for amateur archaeologists.
Common
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Uncommon
Not common; rare.
Common
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Uncommon
Wonderful; remarkable.
Common
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Uncommon
Rare; not readily found; unusual.
Bald eagles are an uncommon sighting in this state.
Common
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Uncommon
Remarkable; exceptional.
The diamond was of uncommon size
Common
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Uncommon
Exceedingly, exceptionally.
Common
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Uncommon
Not common; unusual; infrequent; rare; hence, remarkable; strange; as, an uncommon season; an uncommon degree of cold or heat; uncommon courage.
Common
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Uncommon
Not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind;
Uncommon birds
Frost and floods are uncommon during these months
Doing an uncommon amount of business
An uncommon liking for money
He owed his greatest debt to his mother's uncommon character and ability
Common
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Uncommon
Marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind;
What is so rare as a day in June
A rare skill
An uncommon sense of humor
She was kind to an uncommon degree
Common
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Common
Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar
Behavior that branded him as common.
Common
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Common
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Common
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Common
The social class composed of commoners.
Common
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Common
Commons The House of Commons.
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.
Common
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
Common
Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Common
Common stock.
Common
(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.
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.
Common
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
It is common to find sharks off this coast.
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.
Common
Simple, ordinary or vulgar.
Common
(grammar) Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.
Common
(grammar) Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.
Common
Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal, i.e., common name vs. scientific name.
Common
(obsolete) Profane; polluted.
Common
(obsolete) Given to lewd habits; prostitute.
Common
Mutual good, shared by more than one.
Common
A tract of land in common ownership; common land.
Common
The people; the community.
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.
Common
(obsolete) To communicate (something).
Common
(obsolete) To converse, talk.
Common
(obsolete) To participate.
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
Not distinguished or exceptional; inconspicuous; ordinary; plebeian; - often in a depreciatory sense.
The honest, heart-felt enjoyment of common life.
This fact was infamousAnd ill beseeming any common man,Much more a knight, a captain and a leader.
Above the vulgar flight of common souls.
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
Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;
Common parlance
A vernacular term
Vernacular speakers
The vulgar tongue of the masses
The technical and vulgar names for an animal species
Common
Of or associated with the great masses of people;
The common people in those days suffered greatly
Behavior that branded him as common
His square plebeian nose
A vulgar and objectionable person
The unwashed masses
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
Lacking refinement or cultivation or taste;
He had coarse manners but a first-rate mind
Behavior that branded him as common
An untutored and uncouth human being
An uncouth soldier--a real tough guy
Appealing to the vulgar taste for violence
The vulgar display of the newly rich
Common
To be expected; standard;
Common decency
Common Curiosities
What does it mean for something to be common?
Being common indicates that something is frequently found, seen, or used, reflecting its widespread presence or acceptance.
How is uncommon defined?
Uncommon refers to something that is rare, infrequently encountered, or diverges from what is typically seen or expected.
Why do perceptions of what is common vary?
Perceptions vary due to differences in cultural, geographical, and individual experiences, making certain things common in one context but not in another.
Can something be common in one place but uncommon in another?
Yes, geographical and cultural differences can make something common in one area while being rare or unusual in another.
Is being uncommon always a positive trait?
Not necessarily; while uncommonness can denote rarity or uniqueness, its value is determined by context and personal or societal preferences.
How does rarity impact the perception of value?
Rarity often increases the perceived value of an item or experience, as uncommon things are typically seen as more unique or special.
Can an uncommon thing become common over time?
Yes, changes in technology, culture, or societal norms can make previously uncommon things more widespread and accepted.
Why might someone seek out uncommon experiences or items?
People may seek uncommon experiences or items for the thrill of discovery, to satisfy curiosity, or to differentiate themselves from others.
How do common and uncommon items affect consumer behavior?
Consumers may seek common items for reliability and ease of access, while uncommon items might be pursued for their novelty, uniqueness, or the status they confer.
How does technology affect the commonality of information and experiences?
Technology increases access to information and experiences, potentially making what was once uncommon more common and accessible to a wider audience.
Do common practices contribute to cultural identity?
Common practices play a significant role in shaping and reflecting cultural identity, representing shared values and experiences.
What role do common and uncommon elements play in innovation?
Common elements provide a stable foundation for innovation, while uncommon elements can introduce new perspectives and drive creativity and progress.
How do trends influence what is considered common or uncommon?
Trends can shift perceptions and practices, making certain items or behaviors more widely adopted or abandoned over time.
Can something be common and uncommon at the same time?
Depending on context and perspective, an item or practice might be common in one aspect but uncommon in another.
What impact does globalization have on commonality?
Globalization can homogenize cultures and practices, making certain things more common worldwide, while also facilitating the spread and appreciation of uncommon aspects of different cultures.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Megaton vs. Kiloton
Next Comparison
Cap vs. PinnerAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
