trite

[ trahyt ]

adjective

, trit·er, trit·est.

1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale:

   the trite phrases in his letter.

   Synonyms: ordinary

   Antonyms: original

2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.:

   The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.

3. Archaic. rubbed or worn by use.

trite

/ traɪt /

adjective

1. hackneyed; dull

   a trite comment

2. archaic.
   frayed or worn out

Derived Forms

• ˈtritely, adverb
• ˈtriteness, noun

Other Words From

• tritely adverb
• triteness noun
• un·trite adjective
• un·tritely adverb
• un·triteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trite¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin trītus “worn, common,” past participle of terere “to rub, wear down”

Word History and Origins

Origin of trite¹

C16: from Latin trītus worn down, from terere to rub

Synonym Study

See commonplace.

Example Sentences

It’s a trite question, but a deadly one.

From Salon

It’s also a tender tale about the perils and promises of starting over that owes as much to Mexico’s trite telenovelas as it does to its big-hearted melodramas.

From Los Angeles Times

To say there even is such a thing reduces a wildly diverse group into a trite narrative that I’ve spent my career trying to debunk, when not ridiculing it altogether.

From Los Angeles Times

Not because it wasn’t true, but because it was so predictable and trite.

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, the powers that be have told a very specific narrative about us: triumphalist and trite, self-congratulatory and sappy, while staying far away from our difficult parts.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banal
• corny
• dull
• hackneyed

More About Trite

What does trite mean?

Trite describes something as being boring or ineffective because it is used so much, as in All politicians seem to make the same trite promises to be honest.

Something that is trite is stale and worn out. It’s most often used to criticize or insult someone’s speech or writing ability.

Example: This lecture kept going in circles and was so trite.

Where does trite come from?

The first records of the term trite come from around 1540. It comes from the Latin trītus, meaning “worn or common.” Trite describes the figurative sense of a word’s usefulness being worn down.

Trite is usually used in reference to words, either written or spoken. However, it can also refer to other things, like a TV show that has had too many episodes. Describing someone’s speech as trite is sometimes a way to insult someone while sounding like helpful criticism and is rarely done with the speaker present—a good clue that it isn’t a nice thing to say.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to trite?

• tritely (adverb)
• triteness (noun)
• untrite (adjective)

What are some synonyms for trite?

• banal
• commonplace
• corny
• dull
• hackneyed

What are some words that often get used in discussing trite?

• comments
• ordinary
• boring
• speech

How is trite used in real life?

Trite is usually used as a criticism of something, such as a thought or speech.

"I can't believe you're reading fairytales."
"Why not? They're fun, and-"
"They're for children!"
"Well, yes, but not only for children."
"Full of clichés, and trite messages about being kind."
"I can tell you don't read fairytales."
"Obviously."
"Obviously."

— Micro SF/F stories (@MicroSFF) October 15, 2021

If it comes to your mind first, pause and take a deep breathe before you say it. Trust me. The trite comments are hurtful.

— Kelly Wickham Hurst (@mochamomma) September 11, 2013

I'm soooooo sick of trite identity politics.

Words can't fully explain how much I detest it.

— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) July 15, 2019

Try using trite!

Is trite used correctly in the following sentence?

I fell asleep during the presentation because it was boring and full of trite phrases.