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com|mod|ity /kəmɒ d I ti/ (commodities ) N‑COUNT A commodity is something that is sold for money. [BUSINESS ] □  The government increased prices on several basic commodities like bread and meat.

com|mo|dore /kɒ mədɔː ^r / (commodores ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A commodore is an officer of senior rank in the navy, especially the British Royal Navy.

com|mon ◆◆◆ /kɒ mən/ (commoner , commonest , commons )

1 ADJ If something is common , it is found in large numbers or it happens often. □  His name was Hansen, a common name in Norway. □  Oil pollution is the commonest cause of death for seabirds. □  It was common practice for prisoners to carve objects from animal bones to pass the time. ●  com|mon|ly ADV [ADV with v] □  Parsley is probably the most commonly used of all herbs.

2 ADJ If something is common to two or more people or groups, it is done, possessed, or used by them all. □  Moldavians and Romanians share a common language. □ [+ to ] Such behaviour is common to all young people.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] When there are more animals or plants of a particular species than there are of related species, then the first species is called common . □  …the common house fly.

4 ADJ [ADJ n] Common is used to indicate that someone or something is of the ordinary kind and not special in any way. □  Common salt is made up of 40% sodium and 60% chloride.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] Common decency or common courtesy is the decency or courtesy which most people have. You usually talk about this when someone has not shown these characteristics in their behaviour to show your disapproval of them. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  He didn't have the common courtesy to ask permission.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use common to describe knowledge, an opinion, or a feeling that is shared by people in general. □  It is common knowledge that swimming is one of the best forms of exercise. ●  com|mon|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □  A little adolescent rebellion is commonly believed to be healthy.

7 ADJ If you describe someone or their behaviour as common , you mean that they show a lack of taste, education, and good manners. [DISAPPROVAL ] □  She might be a little common at times, but she was certainly not boring.

8 N‑COUNT A common is an area of grassy land, usually in or near a village or small town, where the public is allowed to go. □  We are warning women not to go out on to the common alone. □  …Wimbledon Common.

9 N‑PROPER [with sing or pl verb] The Commons is the same as the House of Commons . The members of the House of Commons can also be referred to as the Commons . □  The Prime Minister is to make a statement in the Commons this afternoon. □  The Commons has spent over three months on the bill.

10 → see also lowest common denominator

11 PHRASE If two or more things have something in common , they have the same characteristic or feature. □  The oboe and the clarinet have got certain features in common. □ [+ with ] In common with most Italian lakes, access to the shores of Orta is restricted.

12 PHRASE If two or more people have something in common , they share the same interests or experiences. □ [+ with ] He had very little in common with his sister.

13common ground → see ground

14the common touch → see touch USAGE common

Don’t use a that -clause after common . Don’t say, for example, ‘It is quite common that motorists fall asleep while driving ’. You say ‘It is quite common for motorists to fall asleep while driving’. □  It is common for a child to become temporarily deaf after an ear infection.