lowest common denominator
Universal dividing factor
The lowest common denominator is the smallest number that can be evenly divided by all denominators in a set of fractions—essential for adding or comparing them.
Figuratively, it describes the most basic or unsophisticated level of taste or understanding that will appeal to the largest audience: The show panders to the lowest common denominator.
The phrase typically carries disapproval, suggesting a sacrifice of quality for broad appeal.
Part divided by whole
- divisorNumber you split by
- numeratorNumber being divided
- divisibleAble to be separated
- multipleConsisting of many parts
arithmetic · factorization · prime · integer · simplify · reduction · equivalence · algorithm
Reducing intellectual content
- panderingAppealing to lowest impulses
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- formulaicFollowing a set template
- banalUnoriginal and dull
middlebrow · oversimplification · blandness · watered-down · one-size-fits-all · generic · uninspired · derivative
Fundamental in nature
- fundamentalForming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- coreCentral essential portion
- essentialFundamentally necessary
underlying · root · baseline · minimum · threshold · prerequisite · rudimentary · entry-level
Standard for comparison
- agreementShared position between parties
- middle-groundIntermediate position between extremes
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- overlapPartial coincidence of coverage
intersection · mutual · collective · unifying · accessible · inclusive · cross-cultural
fraction
Part divided by whole
multiple · arithmetic · factorization · prime · integer · simplify · reduction · equivalence · algorithm · division
dumbing-down
Reducing intellectual content
- panderingAppealing to lowest impulses
- mass-marketFor widespread commercial sale
- formulaicFollowing a set template
banal · middlebrow · oversimplification · blandness · watered-down · one-size-fits-all · generic · uninspired · derivative · mediocre
basic
Fundamental in nature
- fundamentalForming the base
- elementaryOf first principles
- coreCentral essential portion
essential · underlying · root · baseline · minimum · threshold · prerequisite · rudimentary · entry-level · ground-floor
baseline
Standard for comparison
- agreementShared position between parties
- middle-groundIntermediate position between extremes
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
overlap · intersection · mutual · collective · unifying · accessible · inclusive · cross-cultural
- fractionshalf, halves, third, thirds, fourth
- math expressionsdo the math, add up, crunch numbers, number crunching, number cruncher
lowest common denominatorgreatest common factor
Largest shared divisor
greatest common divisor · least common multiple · prime factorization
lowest common denominatorhighbrow
Intellectually or artistically sophisticated
high culture · intellectual rigor · connoisseurship · sophistication · avant-garde
lowest common denominatorcomprehensive understanding
Total knowledge of something
lowness, lowermost, common, commonly, commonness, commons, commoner, commonest, commonality