public

adj

1. general, common, communal, joint, united, collective; national, nationwide, statewide, countrywide; widespread, universal, world-wide; ecumenical, catholic, extensive, comprehensive; civic, popular, plebeian, proletarian.

2. unrestricted, not private or exclusive; unenclosed, available, accessible; unfenced, unbounded, uncircumscribed, shared; free to all, open to the public, of free access; elective, voluntary, unconditional, publicly-financed, tax-supported, tax-dependent, under the public domain; tax-paid, elected, publicly-appointed, serving the voters.

3. open, published, in circulation; known, notorious, recognized; admitted, avowed, widely known; manifest, done in broad daylight; overt, plain, plain to see, apparent, clearly apparent; unconcealed, exposed, clear, clear-cut, plain as day; visible, naked, bald, unhidden; unveiled, unshrouded, uncurtained, unob-scured; obvious, patent, palpable, conspicuous; blatant, flagrant, egregious; up front, right out in the open, in front of all the world, for all the world to know, Inf. on the front page.

4. prominent, well-known, eminent, famous, celebrated; important, considerable, substantial, named, renowned, illustrious; exalted, respected, credited, honored, consequential, of consequence, of high or great reputation or repute; influential, weighty, powerful, prestigious, notable; disreputable, infamous, notorious, on the "most wanted" list.

n

5. populace, population, community, citizens, nation, voters, voting public; society, men, women, children; hoi polloi, common people, masses, vulgus, Archaic. the vulgar, commonage, demos; proletariat, plebeians, bourgeoisie; the multitude, the many, Chiefly Brit. admass; rank and file, Latin, hoc genus omne, Fr. tout le monde. everyone; grass roots, Inf. the silent majority, the man in the street, U.S. Middle America, Main Street USA.

6. clientele, buyers, Inf. trade; patrons, patronage, Inf. regulars; following, followers, fans, admirers, readers, subscribers, audience.