Where does “commonly” come from?

Commonly derives from Middle English -ly adverb suffix added to common, which comes from Old English -līċ, from Latin commūnis meaning "shared," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ḱóm meaning "together."

commonly (English): as a rule; frequently; usually; in common;...

Definitions

  1. as a rule; frequently; usually; in common;...

Ancestry of “commonly”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishcomunlyTogether, communally; in common or union
2Middle EnglishcomunShared, common; belonging to all in a group
3Anglo-Normancomuncommon
4Old Frenchcomuncommon
5Latincommūniscommon, commonplace, ordinary, general, universal, shared, shared alike, of both sides, belonging to two or more together
6Old Latincom(m)oinis
7Proto-Italickommoiniscommon
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱom-moy-ni-held in common
9Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
10Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
11Middle Englishkyt
12Germankittputty certain kinds of cement used for fixing e.g. window panes
13Old High Germankuti
14Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
15Proto-Germanickweduzresin
16Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
17Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū-
commonly — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer