Common vs. Similar — What's the Difference?

Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint

Having a resemblance in appearance, character, or quantity, without being identical

Of or relating to the community as a whole; public

A person or thing similar to another

Widespread; prevalent

A substance that produces effects resembling the symptoms of particular diseases (the basis of homeopathic treatment)

Occurring frequently or habitually; usual

Having a resemblance in appearance or nature; alike though not identical.

Most widely known; ordinary

(Mathematics) Having corresponding angles equal and corresponding line segments proportional. Used of geometric figures

Having no special designation, status, or rank

Having traits or characteristics in common; alike, comparable.

Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average

(mathematics) Of geometrical figures including triangles, squares, ellipses, arcs and more complex figures, having the same shape but possibly different size, rotational orientation, and position; in particular, having corresponding angles equal and corresponding line segments proportional; such that one can be had from the other using a sequence of rotations, translations and scalings.

Of no special quality; standard

Of two square matrices; being such that a conjugation sends one matrix to the other.

Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate

That which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar

(homeopathy) A material that produces an effect that resembles the symptoms of a particular disease.

Either masculine or feminine in gender.

Exactly corresponding; resembling in all respects; precisely like.

Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.

Nearly corresponding; resembling in many respects; somewhat like; having a general likeness.

Commons The common people; commonalty.

Homogenous; uniform.

The social class composed of commoners.

That which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

The parliamentary representatives of this class.

Marked by correspondence or resemblance;

Commons The House of Commons.

Having the same or similar characteristics;

A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole

Resembling or similar; having the same or some of the same characteristics; often used in combination;

The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.

(of words) expressing closely related meanings

Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.

Capable of replacing or changing places with something else;

Common stock.

(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.

Mutual; shared by more than one.

Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.

Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.

Simple, ordinary or vulgar.

(grammar) Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.

(grammar) Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.

Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal, i.e., common name vs. scientific name.

(obsolete) Profane; polluted.

(obsolete) Given to lewd habits; prostitute.

Mutual good, shared by more than one.

A tract of land in common ownership; common land.

The people; the community.

(legal) The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.

(obsolete) To communicate (something).

(obsolete) To converse, talk.

(obsolete) To have sex.

(obsolete) To participate.

(obsolete) To have a joint right with others in common ground.

(obsolete) To board together; to eat at a table in common.

Belonging or relating equally, or similarly, to more than one; as, you and I have a common interest in the property.

Belonging to or shared by, affecting or serving, all the members of a class, considered together; general; public; as, properties common to all plants; the common schools; the Book of Common Prayer.

Often met with; usual; frequent; customary.

Not distinguished or exceptional; inconspicuous; ordinary; plebeian; - often in a depreciatory sense.

Profane; polluted.

Given to habits of lewdness; prostitute.

The people; the community.

An inclosed or uninclosed tract of ground for pleasure, for pasturage, etc., the use of which belongs to the public; or to a number of persons.

The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; - so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.

To converse together; to discourse; to confer.

To participate.

To have a joint right with others in common ground.

To board together; to eat at a table in common.

A piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;

Belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public;

Of no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered; average or ordinary or usual;

Common to or shared by two or more parties;

Commonly encountered;

Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;

Of or associated with the great masses of people;

Of low or inferior quality or value;

Lacking refinement or cultivation or taste;

To be expected; standard;