Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

canaille

Noun

/kəˈnɑɪ/

Definition

A term that refers to the common people or a lower social class, often used in a derogatory sense.

Examples

The aristocrats looked down on the canaille at the festival.
In his novel, the author often portrayed the struggles of the canaille against the elite.
She was accused of mingling with the canaille during her travels abroad.

Meaning

Canaille is used to describe a group of people considered to be of lower social standing, denoting a sense of disdain towards the common or unrefined.