common usage
[ˈkɑːmən ˈjuːsɪdʒ]
noun phrase
uso comum
1. the way a word, phrase, or language element is normally or standardly used by native speakers
According to common usage, the word 'literally' can now mean 'figuratively' in informal contexts.
De acordo com o uso comum, a palavra 'literalmente' agora pode significar 'figurativamente' em contextos informais.
2. the established practice or convention in the use of language within a particular speech community
Common usage dictates that we capitalize proper nouns.
O uso comum determina que capitalizemos nomes próprios.
3. widespread or frequent application of something in everyday practice
Smartphones are now in common usage throughout the world.
Smartphones agora estão em uso comum em todo o mundo.
The concept of 'common usage' is fundamental in both American and Brazilian English studies, as it reflects how living languages evolve. Language prescriptivists may debate whether common usage should guide dictionaries, while descriptivists argue that dictionaries should reflect common usage. In Brazil, discussions about 'uso comum' often arise in educational contexts, particularly regarding regional variations and the influence of social media on Portuguese usage patterns.
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →