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

Example Sentences

With that, the author lets him skate, onto the next platitude.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a platitude, beloved of the documentary community, that truth is stranger than fiction.

From New York Times

He can't stop repeating the bellicose platitude that America is at war against the virus, even though he spent the first two months of this catastrophe telling us it was no big deal.

From Salon

That last sentiment wasn’t just a platitude to his fellow starters.

From Seattle Times

Like that disposable platitude, all the Orwellian nonsense coming from the top of the U.S. government about seeking a “rules-based international order” is nothing more than a brazen PR scam.

From Salon

Related Words

• banality
• bromide