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

Other Word Forms

• platitudinous 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

The head of the oil and gas regulator says cutting the sector's carbon emissions is not "a platitude or a soundbite" but presents significant commercial benefits.

From BBC

He stress-tests our icky, grubby pity for Matthew and, beyond that, the flimsiness of modern fame culture and its fake-it-till-you-make-it inspirational platitudes.

From Los Angeles Times

You'll also get fresh new formats like The Football Interview with Kelly Somers - a show that goes past the post-match platitudes and into the personal stories that define the beautiful game.

From BBC

The script contains platitudes about movie magic and hits a climax with Kidman, an Academy Award winner, saying its most memorable line: “Heartbreak feels good in a place like this.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sabalenka said in her Centre Court interview that she thought Raducanu would be back in the top 10 soon - I don't think that was simply a platitude to get the crowd on her side.

From BBC

Related Words

• banality 
• bromide