Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
hoi polloi
noun
/ˈhɔɪ pəˈlɔɪ/
Definition
The common people; the masses.
Examples
- Many artists draw inspiration from the struggles of the hoi polloi.
- The politician’s policies seemed to benefit the hoi polloi more than the wealthy elite.
- In the novel, the protagonist’s interactions with the hoi polloi reveal much about society’s inequalities.
Meaning
The term ‘hoi polloi’ refers to the ordinary people or the general populace, often used in a context that distinguishes them from the elite or higher social classes.
Synonyms
- Common people
- Masses
- Lower class
