Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for banal

banal

[ buh-nal, -nahl, beyn-l ]

adjective

  1. devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite:

    a banal and sophomoric treatment of courage on the frontier.



banal

/ bəˈnælɪtɪ; bəˈnɑːl /

adjective

  1. lacking force or originality; trite; commonplace
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • banality, noun
  • baˈnally, adverb
Discover More

Other Words From

  • ba·nal·i·ty [b, uh, -, nal, -i-tee, bey-], noun
  • ba·nally adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of banal1

First recorded in 1745–55; from French, Old French: “pertaining to a ban”; equivalent to ban 2 + -al 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of banal1

C18: from Old French: relating to compulsory feudal service, hence common to all, commonplace; from ban ban ²
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

Especially in the later images, some, at first, appear as banal as a stranger’s family photo album.

So it is no huge surprise that No Sudden Move — a rippling, brilliant story about trusting nobody — has some seemingly banal but actually fascinating economic and cultural underpinnings pulsing in its historical backdrop.

From Vox

He has a politician’s recollection for obscure names and banal anecdotes, a relentless forward propulsion and limitless confidence, a firm grasp of the political upsides and downsides of any situation.

Many are consumed by disagreements over banal things like chores, though some have managed to have impacts that last beyond their expiration dates—Zuccotti Park, for example, produced a growing national consciousness about income inequality.

From Time

Chang’s secret power is making the seemingly banal gripping, much to the pleasure of her readers.

From Ozy

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


banakbanality