What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
everyman
Example
The protagonist of the story is an everyman character, relatable to all readers. [everyman: noun]
Example
The play's everyman character struggles with the same issues as the audience, making it a powerful and moving performance. [everyman: adjective]
commoner
Example
The royal family mingled with the commoners during their visit to the village. [commoners: plural noun]
Example
The university attracts both nobles and commoners seeking higher education. [commoner: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Commoner is more commonly used than everyman in everyday language, especially in historical or social contexts. Everyman is less common and is often used in literature or philosophy to represent universal human experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between everyman and commoner?
Both everyman and commoner are relatively informal words, but commoner may be perceived as more formal due to its historical and social connotations.
