Word
populace
Phoneticspop·u·lace, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɑpjəɫəs/
UK/pˈɒpjʊlˌeɪs/
Definitions
01the general public
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the ordinary people of a country, especially when compared to the people who rule them.
n. the common people of a nation or community as a whole, often contrasted with the ruling elite.
“The government needs to listen to the concerns of the general populace.”
“The new tax laws were met with widespread resentment among the general populace, leading to protests in the capital.”
Usage
Usually takes a singular verb, though it refers to a group of people.
Pitfall
The populaces were unhappy.
The populace was unhappy.
Populace is usually treated as a collective singular noun, similar to 'public' or 'population'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02inhabitants of a place
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic · Formal
n. all the people who live in a specific city, region, or area.
n. the entire body of inhabitants of a particular place or administrative division.
“Nearly half of the local populace works in the tourism industry.”
“The sudden influx of refugees significantly altered the demographic composition of the local populace within a single decade.”
Usage
Often preceded by a qualifying adjective like 'local', 'rural', or 'urban'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“There had been nothing like it since Izumo no Okuni took to the stage dressed as a man back in 1603 and stunned the populace with her wild kabuku dancing.” Etymology
From Middle French populace, from Italian popolaccio. Compare demotic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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