in common

com·mon  (kmn)

adj. com·mon·er, com·mon·est

1.

a. Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint: common interests.

b. Of or relating to the community as a whole; public: for the common good. See Usage Note at mutual.

2. Widespread; prevalent.

3.

a. Occurring frequently or habitually; usual.

b. Most widely known; ordinary: the common housefly.

4. Having no special designation, status, or rank: a common sailor.

5.

a. Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average: the common spectator.

b. Of no special quality; standard: common procedure.

c. Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate: common cloth.

6. Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar: behavior that branded him as common.

7. Grammar

a. Either masculine or feminine in gender.

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

n.

1. commons The common people; commonalty.

2. commons (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

a. The social class composed of commoners.

b. The parliamentary representatives of this class.

3. The House of Commons. Often used in the plural.

4. A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole: a band concert on the village common.

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

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

7. Common stock.

8. Ecclesiastical A service used for a particular class of festivals.

Idiom:

in common

Equally with or by all.

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[Middle English commune, from Old French commun, from Latin commnis; see mei-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

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common·ly adv.

common·ness n.

Synonyms: common, ordinary, familiar, vulgar
These adjectives describe what is generally known or frequently encountered. Common applies to what takes place often, is widely used, or is well known: The botanist studied the common dandelion.
The term also implies coarseness or a lack of distinction: My wallet was stolen by a common thief.
Ordinary describes something usual that is indistinguishable from others, sometimes derogatorily: A ballpoint pen is adequate for ordinary purposes. The critic gave the ordinary performance a mediocre review.
Familiar applies to what is well known or quickly recognized: Most children can recite familiar nursery rhymes.
Vulgar describes association with the great mass of people and often connotes lack of refinement: "He [Shakespeare] was not something sacred and aloof from the vulgar herd of men" (William Hazlitt). See Also Synonyms at general.

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

in common - sharing equally with another or others; "we have several things in common"; "in common with other companies they advertise widely"