trite

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/traɪt/
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Stale through repetition, with an older physical sense of being worn down by rubbing or use.

Examples

  • The slogan sounded trite after months of repetition.
  • The speech ended with a trite line about following your dreams.
  • Reviewers dismissed the film's plot as trite.
  • The manuscript described a pilgrim's trite cloak.
  • It may sound trite, but the simple advice still helped.

Similar words

shabby
commonplace
tired
threadbare
hackneyed
banal
tattered
worn
clichéd
threadbare

Meanings

Stale from overuse

adjective
communication
neutral
So familiar from repeated use that it no longer feels fresh, sincere, or interesting.

Examples

  • The speech ended with a trite line about following your dreams.
  • Reviewers dismissed the film's plot as trite.
  • The slogan sounded trite after months of repetition.
  • It may sound trite, but the simple advice still helped.
  • The essay made a trite point about social media ruining conversation.

Similar words

Worn by rubbing

adjective
physical
archaic
Rubbed, frayed, or worn down by use, a now obsolete physical sense behind the modern figurative meaning.

Examples

  • The old sleeve was trite at the cuff.
  • A trite strip of leather hung from the saddle.
  • The manuscript described a pilgrim's trite cloak.
  • The rope looked trite where it rubbed against the stone.
  • In older English, a trite garment was one worn thin by use.

Similar words

Etymology

From Latin tritus, meaning worn or common, the past participle of terere, to rub or wear down. The physical idea of rubbing away led naturally to the modern sense of exhausted freshness.

FAQ

What does trite mean?

Trite means stale, unoriginal, or no longer interesting because of repeated use.

Is trite always negative?

Trite is usually critical, because it says that a phrase, idea, plot, or piece of advice has lost freshness.

Can trite mean boring?

Trite can overlap with boring, but it specifically points to boredom caused by overuse or familiarity.

What are synonyms of trite?

Close synonyms of trite include hackneyed, clichéd, stale, banal, commonplace, and tired.

What is the old meaning of trite?

The old physical sense of trite meant rubbed, frayed, or worn down by use.

Where does trite come from?

Trite comes from Latin tritus, meaning worn or common, from terere, to rub or wear down.

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