What does "commonality" mean?
The joint possession of a set of attributes or characteristics.
Commonality
noun
noun ·5 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The joint possession of a set of attributes or characteristics.
- Grammar: commonality is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: cog, common people, commonalty, commoner.
- Useful contrasts: odd habit, abnormalities, individuality.
- Usage evidence: Zunin sold the idea to his military superiors in the fearful jargon of his profession: "In a situation where commonality of loss of the husband is present, the group can be exceedingly supportive."
How to use "commonality"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "commonality" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "commonality" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "commonality" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "commonality" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "commonality" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "cog" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "commonality", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The joint possession of a set of attributes or characteristics. countable, uncountable
"Zunin sold the idea to his military superiors in the fearful jargon of his profession: "In a situation where commonality of loss of the husband is present, the group can be exceedingly supportive.""
- 2 The common people; the commonalty. countable, obsolete, uncountable
- 3 sharing of common attributes wordnet
- 4 Such a shared attribute or characteristic countable, uncountable
- 5 a class composed of persons lacking clerical or noble rank wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A quality that applies to materiel or systems: (a) possessing like and interchangeable parts or characteristics enabling each to be utilized, or operated and maintained in common; (b) having interchangeable repair parts and/or components; (c) applying to consumable items interchangeably equivalent without adjustment. countable, uncountable
"2003, NASA, Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Transcript, transcript of radio communication, KLING: FYI I've just lost four separate temperature transducers on the left side of the vehicle, hydraulic return temperatures. (pause) Two of them on system one and one in each of systems 2 and 3. CAIN: Four hyd return temps? KLING: To the left outboard and left inboard elevons. CAIN: OK, is there anything common to them, DSC or MDM or anything? I mean, you're telling me you lost them all at exactly the same time? KLING: No, not exactly. They were within probably four or five seconds of each other. CAIN: OK, where are those? Where is that instrumentation located? KLING: All four of them are located in the aft part of the left wing, right in front of the elevons, elevon actuators. And there is no commonality. CAIN: No commonality. (long pause)"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Zunin sold the idea to his military superiors in the fearful jargon of his profession: "In a situation where commonality of loss of the husband is present, the group can be exceedingly supportive.""
Common questions
What is a synonym for "commonality"?
Common synonyms include: cog, common people, commonalty, commoner, commonness, commons.
How do you use "commonality" in a sentence?
Zunin sold the idea to his military superiors in the fearful jargon of his profession: "In a situation where commonality of loss of the husband is present, the group can be exceedingly supportive."
Etymology
Etymology 1
From common + -ality.
Etymology 2
Inherited from Middle English comunalite, remodelling of comunalte (modern English commonalty) as if from a putative Medieval Latin *commūnālitās.