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

Derived Forms

• banality, noun
• baˈnally, adverb

Other Words From

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

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

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

Synonym Study

See commonplace.

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Post

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.

From Washington Post

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

Related Words

• bland
• corny
• dumb
• hackneyed
• mundane
• stupid
• trite
• vapid