plebeian

Everyday

1. (history) In ancient Rome, a plebeian was an ordinary citizen, not one of the rich noble families called patricians. tree →
2. (formal, often rude) Plebeian means common, ordinary or not refined; snobs use it to look down on people or things. tree →
3. (UK slang, rude) The short form «pleb» is an insult for someone thought to be common or low class. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on Rome, plebeians and patricians struggled over rights; in everyday life the short insult «pleb» is used, especially in UK schools, and is unkind. Phrases: plebeians and patricians, plebeian tastes.

Examples

• In Rome, most people were plebeians. tree →
• Plebeians could not at first marry patricians. tree →
• The plebeians fought for their own leaders, the tribunes. tree →
• (formal) The snobby lady called the funfair plebeian. tree →
• (rude) «Don't be a pleb,» he sneered. tree →
• Calling someone a pleb is unkind. tree →

Note

Say pleh-BEE-un. Spelling: «-beian». The short form «pleb» is rude in the UK. Look down on nobody: in history plebeians were the ordinary working people.