# populace

/ˈpɑpjəɫəs/ (US) · /pˈɒpjʊlˌeɪs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/populace
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the general public

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the ordinary people of a country, especially when compared to the people who rule them.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. inhabitants of a place

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

all the people who live in a specific city, region, or area.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The local populace is happy with the new park.
- The government struggled to convince the skeptical populace that the new tax laws would benefit the economy in the long run.
- Historians often examine how a disenfranchised populace reacts to sudden economic shifts, as these moments frequently serve as the primary catalysts for significant social and political upheaval.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.