ordinary folk
The general public
Ordinary folk are common, everyday people—those without wealth, status, or special distinction.
The phrase carries a democratic or populist tone, often contrasting regular people with elites or experts: Ordinary folk can't afford houses in this market.
Folk here is slightly old-fashioned, giving the expression a folksy or down-to-earth quality.
- common peopleNon-elite members of society
- everyday peopleAverage, unremarkable citizens
- everydayOccurring each day
- averageArithmetic mean or ordinary
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
salt of the earth · working class · working stiff · grassroots · little guy · townsfolk · neighbors · next door neighbor · regular · plain · simple · modest · unassuming · down-to-earth · masses · commoners · peasants · villagers
- commonerscommoner, commoners, peasant, peasants, common people
- Nobodiesnobodies, nonentities, unknowns, zeroes, ciphers
ordinary folkthe elite
Most powerful group
the upper class · high society · the one percent · blue bloods · old money
ordinary folkcelebrities
Well-known public figures
public figures · stars · household names · A-listers · luminaries
ordinary folkmovers and shakers
Influential, powerful people
the powers that be · power brokers · decision-makers · world leaders · captains of industry
ordinary, folk, ordinarily, ordinariness, extraordinarily, extraordinary, order, ordinal, ordination