I. ˈkä-mən-ˌplās noun
Etymology: translation of Latin locus communis widely applicable argument, translation of Greek koinos topos
Date: 1561
1. archaic : a striking passage entered in a commonplace book
2.
a. : an obvious or trite comment : truism
b. : something commonly found
II. adjective
Date: 1609
: commonly found or seen : ordinary , unremarkable
a commonplace occurrence
the large mergers that had become commonplace
• com·mon·place·ness noun