Similes for common are useful when you want to describe something ordinary more colorfully. Instead of just saying common, you can also think of words like ordinary, usual, or everyday. Many writers and students look for “figurative language for common” or “literary devices to describe ordinary things” because plain wording can sound flat, while similes create stronger, more relatable images.
For example, instead of writing “The mistake was common,” you could say “The mistake was as common as rain in spring,” which paints a clear picture of frequency. These similes can be used in stories, poetry, academic writing, or even in casual spaces like Instagram captions and WhatsApp statuses to make your words stand out.
In this article, you’ll find a variety of similes for common objects that make everyday descriptions more vivid and engaging.
As Common As Simile Examples
1. As Common as Dirt
Meaning: Something so ordinary and plentiful that it holds little special value.
Example Sentences:
- Smartphones are as common as dirt these days, found in nearly every pocket.
- Her excuses were as common as dirt, and no one believed them anymore.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as stones on a path
- As plentiful as weeds in summer
2. As Common as Air
Meaning: Ubiquitous and essential, something present everywhere like the air we breathe.
Example Sentences:
- Kindness should be as common as air, but sadly, it isn’t.
- Social media is as common as air in today’s digital culture.
Other Ways to Say:
- As universal as sunlight
- As necessary as water
3. As Common as Grass
Meaning: Something that grows everywhere and lacks rarity.
Example Sentences:
- Mistakes are as common as grass in a classroom full of learners.
- Fast food chains are as common as grass in big cities.
Other Ways to Say:
- As widespread as wildflowers
- As frequent as raindrops
4. As Common as Pigeons in a City
Meaning: Something ordinary and expected, especially in urban settings.
Example Sentences:
- Tourists are as common as pigeons in a city near the Eiffel Tower.
- Street performers are as common as pigeons in a city at the park.
Other Ways to Say:
- As expected as traffic at rush hour
- As frequent as buses downtown
5. As Common as Rain in April
Meaning: Something predictable and recurrent, just like seasonal rain.
Example Sentences:
- Complaints during exam season are as common as rain in April.
- Allergies in spring are as common as rain in April.
Other Ways to Say:
- As predictable as sunrise
- As frequent as Mondays
6. As Common as Shoes in a Closet
Meaning: Familiar and widely owned, found everywhere.
Example Sentences:
- White T-shirts are as common as shoes in a closet.
- Old family photos are as common as shoes in a closet.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as cups in a kitchen
- As numerous as socks in a drawer
7. As Common as Coins in a Fountain
Meaning: Something easily found and seen in abundance.
Example Sentences:
- Misspellings are as common as coins in a fountain on the internet.
- Rumors in high school are as common as coins in a fountain.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as leaves in autumn
- As ordinary as pebbles on a beach
8. As Common as Broken Promises
Meaning: Something disappointingly frequent and unsurprising.
Example Sentences:
- Excuses from him were as common as broken promises.
- Late buses are as common as broken promises in our city.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as missed deadlines
- As ordinary as spilled coffee
9. As Common as Names in a Phonebook
Meaning: Easily found, familiar, and countless in number.
Example Sentences:
- Job applications are as common as names in a phonebook for that position.
- Spam emails are as common as names in a phonebook.
Other Ways to Say:
- As widespread as footprints in sand
- As plentiful as usernames online
10. As Common as Coffee Shops
Meaning: Something so present that it feels impossible to miss.
Example Sentences:
- Wi-Fi networks are as common as coffee shops.
- Political debates are as common as coffee shops during election season.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as taxis in New York
- As ordinary as vending machines in schools
11. As Common as Ants at a Picnic
Meaning: Something overwhelmingly present and sometimes annoying.
Example Sentences:
- Pop-up ads are as common as ants at a picnic online.
- Sibling arguments are as common as ants at a picnic in big families.
Other Ways to Say:
- As inevitable as sand at the beach
- As frequent as flies in summer
12. As Common as Shoes on Feet
Meaning: Universally present and always expected.
Example Sentences:
- Backpacks at school are as common as shoes on feet.
- Headphones on the subway are as common as shoes on feet.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as pens in an office
- As expected as books in a library
13. As Common as Sunrises
Meaning: Regular, inevitable, and ordinary through repetition.
Example Sentences:
- Mistakes in first drafts are as common as sunrises.
- Greetings in emails are as common as sunrises.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as heartbeats
- As expected as nightfall
14. As Common as Laughter in a Playground
Meaning: Something naturally present and often joyful.
Example Sentences:
- Spilled paint in art class is as common as laughter in a playground.
- Lost toys in parks are as common as laughter in a playground.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as chatter in a café
- As frequent as applause in a theater
15. As Common as Clouds in the Sky
Meaning: Present nearly everywhere, a natural and constant sight.
Example Sentences:
- Selfies today are as common as clouds in the sky.
- Traffic jams are as common as clouds in the sky during rush hour.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as shadows at noon
- As widespread as birds in trees
16. As Common as Advertisements on TV
Meaning: Overly present and sometimes overwhelming.
Example Sentences:
- Fast-food ads are as common as advertisements on TV.
- Online shopping banners are as common as advertisements on TV.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as billboards on highways
- As ordinary as jingles on the radio
17. As Common as Leaves on Trees
Meaning: Abundant and unremarkable because of quantity.
Example Sentences:
- Student questions are as common as leaves on trees.
- Cheap souvenirs are as common as leaves on trees near tourist spots.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as raindrops
- As ordinary as footsteps in snow
18. As Common as Keys on a Keyboard
Meaning: Something familiar, basic, and always present in use.
Example Sentences:
- Emojis are as common as keys on a keyboard in text messages.
- Password requests are as common as keys on a keyboard online.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as pages in a book
- As frequent as taps on a screen
19. As Common as Shoes in a Mall
Meaning: Widely available and easy to find.
Example Sentences:
- Sale signs are as common as shoes in a mall.
- Coffee cups are as common as shoes in a mall in office spaces.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as chairs in a café
- As ordinary as T-shirts in a store
20. As Common as Gossip in High School
Meaning: Predictably frequent and often unavoidable.
Example Sentences:
- Texting in class is as common as gossip in high school.
- Misunderstandings are as common as gossip in high school at family gatherings.
Other Ways to Say:
- As inevitable as rumors in politics
- As ordinary as notes passed in class
21. As Common as Ice in Winter
Meaning: Seasonal, frequent, and expected.
Example Sentences:
- Coughs in flu season are as common as ice in winter.
- Scarves in December are as common as ice in winter.
Other Ways to Say:
- As predictable as snow in the Alps
- As frequent as hot days in summer
22. As Common as Pennies
Meaning: Something abundant but often undervalued.
Example Sentences:
- Cheap pens are as common as pennies at office supply stores.
- Old magazines are as common as pennies in waiting rooms.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as dust in attics
- As ordinary as receipts in wallets
23. As Common as Text Messages
Meaning: Something frequent in modern life.
Example Sentences:
- Notifications are as common as text messages on smartphones.
- Group chats are as common as text messages among teenagers.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as pings in a chat room
- As ordinary as calls in a call center
24. As Common as Cats on the Internet
Meaning: Extremely widespread, popular, and sometimes overdone.
Example Sentences:
- Memes are as common as cats on the Internet.
- Reaction videos are as common as cats on the Internet.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as hashtags online
- As frequent as tweets during sports games
25. As Common as Shoes at a Wedding
Meaning: Universally expected and never absent.
Example Sentences:
- Cameras at weddings are as common as shoes at a wedding.
- Flowers at ceremonies are as common as shoes at a wedding.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as candles on a cake
- As expected as rings in a proposal
26. As Common as Junk Mail
Meaning: Annoyingly frequent and predictable.
Example Sentences:
- Ads on YouTube are as common as junk mail.
- Unwanted pop-ups are as common as junk mail.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as spam messages
- As ordinary as flyers in mailboxes
27. As Common as Plastic Bags
Meaning: Something seen everywhere, often disposable.
Example Sentences:
- Coffee cups are as common as plastic bags on sidewalks.
- Fast-food wrappers are as common as plastic bags in parks.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as receipts at checkout
- As ordinary as napkins in restaurants
28. As Common as Headaches on Mondays
Meaning: Predictable and relatable occurrence.
Example Sentences:
- Complaints in offices are as common as headaches on Mondays.
- Groans in class are as common as headaches on Mondays after holidays.
Other Ways to Say:
- As frequent as yawns at dawn
- As ordinary as alarms in the mornings
29. As Common as Shoes in Summer Sandals
Meaning: A staple, always present in context.
Example Sentences:
- Sunglasses are as common as shoes in summer sandals on the beach.
- Ice cream cones are as common as shoes in summer sandals in July.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as sunscreen on skin
- As expected as towels at pools
30. As Common as Crumbs on a Table
Meaning: Small but ever-present, noticeable in daily life.
Example Sentences:
- Typos online are as common as crumbs on a table.
- Stickers on laptops are as common as crumbs on a table.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as stains on aprons
- As frequent as scratches on phones
31. As Common as Shoes in a School Hallway
Meaning: Everyday and unavoidable in crowded spaces.
Example Sentences:
- Backpacks in classrooms are as common as shoes in a school hallway.
- Chalk dust is as common as shoes in a school hallway.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as lockers in schools
- As frequent as bells ringing
32. As Common as Paperclips in an Office
Meaning: Small but essential, everywhere in certain settings.
Example Sentences:
- Sticky notes are as common as paperclips in an office.
- Coffee mugs are as common as paperclips in an office.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as staplers on desks
- As frequent as emails in inboxes
33. As Common as Birds in Spring
Meaning: Natural, seasonal, and abundant.
Example Sentences:
- Street vendors are as common as birds in spring in tourist towns.
- Outdoor concerts are as common as birds in spring during festivals.
Other Ways to Say:
- As plentiful as bees near flowers
- As frequent as fireworks on New Year’s Eve
34. As Common as Shoes on a Runner
Meaning: Something expected and inseparable in context.
Example Sentences:
- Sweat at the gym is as common as shoes on a runner.
- Jerseys at games are as common as shoes on a runner.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as whistles in sports
- As frequent as sneakers in gyms
35. As Common as Dreams at Night
Meaning: A natural, universal, and continuous presence.
Example Sentences:
- Regrets after mistakes are as common as dreams at night.
- Hopes for the future are as common as dreams at night.
Other Ways to Say:
- As ordinary as yawns before sleep
- As frequent as stars at night
Conclusion
Similes for common remind us that even the most ordinary ideas can be expressed in memorable ways. By comparing everyday things to familiar images, you give your writing more clarity, rhythm, and personality. Whether you’re calling something ordinary, usual, or everyday, these figurative expressions help avoid dull repetition and keep your language engaging.
From creative captions and WhatsApp statuses to essays and literary analysis, similes for common work across many contexts.
They transform plain descriptions into vivid expressions, proving that there’s nothing “common” about the way you use words.
