greatest common denominator

noun

A set of characteristics that most instances of a category have in common; a model based on a set of characteristics optimized to fit or appeal to the majority or a plurality of people in a population, or of a set of possible situations.

“The education system is designed for the greatest common denominator, but high-IQ children are left behind.”

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Meanings

noungreatest common denominator (plural greatest common denominators)

plural greatest common denominators

  1. alternativeAlternative form of greatest common divisor.
  2. figurativelyA set of characteristics that most instances of a category have in common; a model based on a set of characteristics optimized to fit or appeal to the majority or a plurality of people in a population, or of a set of possible situations.

    The education system is designed for the greatest common denominator, but high-IQ children are left behind.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
greatest common divisor
Cite this entry
APA

greatest common denominator. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/greatest%20common%20denominator

MLA

“greatest common denominator.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/greatest%20common%20denominator. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “greatest common denominator,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/greatest%20common%20denominator.

Source: greatest common denominator on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.