banality

[ buh-nal-i-tee, bey- ]

noun

, plural ba·nal·i·ties.

1. the condition or quality of being banal, or devoid of freshness or originality:

   the banality of everyday life.

2. an instance of this:

   We sat around the dinner table exchanging banalities.

Word History and Origins

Origin of banality¹

First recorded in 1815–25; from French banalité, equivalent to banal ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Fans are tickled by the banality with which she discusses personal details about her life and family.

From The Daily Beast

For drivers and travelers on the road, the relationship with this space — a familiarity built up five minutes at a time, stop by stop — is a necessity and a banality.

From Eater

He gestures toward philosophy at times, citing, for example, Hannah Arendt’s concept of the banality of evil when discussing the moral wrongs brought about by hierarchy.

From Outside Online

He is a master of reserve, a man of surface banality who talked about his seventh Super Bowl victory in terms as neatly shaved of emotion as his chin.

From Washington Post

Once the wrapping is removed, what is revealed are moral principles of utterly disarming banality.

From Time

Related Words

• platitude