3 syllables: com, mon, place. Stress on com.
/ˈkɑmənˌpleɪs/
commonplace is pronounced /ˈkɑmənˌpleɪs/. It has three syllables (com-mon-place), with the stress on "com". Commonplace refers to something ordinary or unremarkable that is used or encountered so often as to be considered unexceptional. It can describe ideas, items, or opinions that lack novelty. In discourse, it often signals a familiar, everyday occurrence or notion that may be taken for granted.
Say it backCommonplace refers to something ordinary or unremarkable that is used or encountered so often as to be considered unexceptional. It can describe ideas, items, or opinions that lack novelty. In discourse, it often signals a familiar, everyday occurrence or notion that may be taken for granted.
"It’s a commonplace observation that technology changes rapidly in the 21st century."
"The politician rested on a few commonplace talking points to appeal to a broad audience."
"The café is filled with commonplace items—chairs, tables, and mugs that look the same everywhere."
/ˈkɑːmˌpoʊnˌpleɪs/ in US English or /ˈkɒmˌpəʊnˌpleɪs/ in UK English. Primary stress falls on the first syllable 'COM-' with secondary stress on the third syllable '-pon-'. The ending '-place' rhymes with 'face' in many dialects. Tip: merge ‘common’ (KOM-tn) with a clear 'place' (playce) for a smooth two-beat flow. Listen to native speakers via Forvo or YouGlish to hear natural tempo.
Common errors include misplacing stress by over-accenting the middle syllable (com-MON-place) and truncating the second syllable, producing ‘COM-pon-place’ rather than ‘KOM-po-nplace’ with a clear /poʊn/ onset. Another frequent error is collapsing the /l/ or reducing /pleɪs/ to /plæs/ or /pleɪs/. Practice by emphasizing the second syllable lightly and ensuring the /poʊn/ is distinct before the /pleɪs/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈkɑːmˌpoʊnˌpleɪs/ with a dark, back vowels in the first syllable and a clear /oʊ/ in the third. UK English tends to use /ˈkɒmˌpəʊnˌpleɪs/, with a shorter first vowel and a rounded /əʊ/ in the second, and non-rhoticity may slightly mute the /r/ influence. Australian English usually mirrors US vowel qualities but can feature a flatter /ɒ/ in some speakers and a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. Overall, the closing /pleɪs/ remains stable across varieties.
Three main challenges: 1) The consonant cluster across the boundary (‘-m-pon-’) requires careful voicing coordination to avoid a muffled /m/ or blending errors; 2) The diphthong /oʊ/ in the third syllable can vary by dialect, causing substitutions like /o/ or /əʊ/; 3) The final /pleɪs/ cluster demands a crisp /p/ release followed by /l/ and /eɪ/ without linking into a sloppy ‘pace’.
A practical cue is to think of the three-beat rhythm: COM-pon-place, with a moderately strong initial stress, lighter secondary stress on -pon-, then a bright, clear final -place. Don’t speed through; ensure the /poʊn/ portion receives a distinct vowel onset before the /pleɪs/ sequence. Visualize the mouth forming a gentle round on /oʊ/ and keep the tongue relaxed for the final /pleɪs/.
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Commonplace traces to late Middle English and evolves from a compound of two elements: ‘common’, from Old French comuen, from Latin communis meaning shared or general, and ‘place’ from Old French place meaning a spot or location. The sense development begins with referring to a place that is ordinary or commonly used, i.e., shared by many. By the 16th century, commonplace described ideas, topics, or observations that were widely known and lacked novelty. The notion of something being “of common place” also connected to public or shared knowledge, distinguishing it from rare or extraordinary things. In modern usage, commonplace often carries a slightly pejorative connotation, implying lack of originality or imagination, though it can be neutral when describing ordinary objects or everyday experiences. The word’s trajectory mirrors a broader shift in English toward pairing a familiar adjective (common) with a tactile noun (place) to denote ubiquity, standardization, and routine aspects of life.
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Words that rhyme with "commonplace"
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