platitude

[ plat-i-tood, -tyood ]

noun

1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.

   Synonyms: truism, cliché

2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite:

   the platitude of most political oratory.

platitude

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace
2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness

Derived Forms

• ˌplatiˈtudinous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of platitude¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “flatness,” equivalent to plat “flat” ( plate ¹ ) + -itude -tude ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of platitude¹

C19: from French, literally: flatness, from plat flat

Related Words

• banality
• bromide