common noun

grammar

Also known as: appellative

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

A common noun is a word that refers to a general person, place, thing, or idea, rather than a specific one. Unlike proper nouns, common nouns are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.123

Examples of common nouns include dog, city, and happiness. They can be modified by words like "a," "an," "some," or "my". Common nouns are distinct from proper nouns, which name specific entities, such as Felix, Edinburgh, or Pluto.4513

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Names and appellatives
, a common noun) capable of being used in reference to a whole class of entities can also be used with an individual reference. For instance, if an inhabitant of Austin, Texas, says, “Let’s go swimming today, not in the pool but in the river,” there is…
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, a common noun) capable of being used in reference to a whole class of entities can also be used with an individual reference. For instance, if an inhabitant of Austin, Texas, says, “Let’s go swimming today, not in the pool but in the river,” there is…
Read More