trite

[trahyt]

adjective

triter, tritest 

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

Other Word Forms

• tritely adverb
• triteness noun
• untrite adjective
• untritely adverb
• untriteness 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

Mr. Guadagnino also indulges a couple of speeches about young people’s alleged hypersensitivity that veer into trite middle-aged lament and aren’t really relevant to the action.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It’s a gag that’s funny five times and trite by the sixth, only to round back toward something warm and amiable by the final time it appears.

Read more on Salon

Only 7 herself at the time of filming, she has none of those trite child-actor tics like over-mannered naivete or phony cheek.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And as this act goes on, he opts for a trite missive about being with the one you love at the end of the world.

Read more on Salon

He knew exactly what he wanted and why and how to tell me, which sounds trite because, you're a director, so that's what a director does.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• banal 
• corny 
• dull 
• hackneyed 

When To Use

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.