WordValeplatitude
a remark used so often it is meaningless
In more detail
1. (noun) a remark or statement that is true but not interesting or original because it has been said many times before
2. (noun) the quality of being dull, unoriginal, or lacking in freshness
Examples
- The speech was full of platitudes about hard work and never giving up.
- His writing suffered from platitude; every sentence felt predictable and stale.
How to use platitude
Platitude is used negatively to describe statements that are true but so overused they lack impact or value. It differs from cliché in that a platitude is specifically about the dullness of the idea itself, while cliché emphasizes worn-out expression or phrasing. It often appears in formal criticism of speech or writing.
Common phrases
- utter a platitude
- mere platitude
- tired platitude
- resort to platitudes
- platitude about life
Synonyms
cliché · commonplace · truism · banality · bromide
Opposites
originality · insight
Word family
platitudinous (adjective) · platitudinously (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use platitude to mean simply a false statement or lie, when it actually means something true but boring and overused.
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