inane

[ih-neyn]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inane ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.

empty; void.

noun

something that is empty or void, especially the void of infinite space.

Origin of inane

First recorded in 1655–65, inane is from the Latin word inānis

Related formsin·ane·ly, adverb

Synonyms for inane

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inane ON THESAURUS.COM

1. pointless. See foolish.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for inanely

insanely, extremely, comically, preposterously, ludicrously, humorously

Examples from the Web for inanely

Historical Examples of inanely

Inanely I would pound my head as though to put punch into it.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
Eddie mumbled, inanely, "You didn't mind it this mornin', buggy-ridin'."
In a Little Town
Rupert Hughes
If it was from any other family he tuck it so inanely, I wouldn't care so much; but from them!
The Dead Boxer
William Carleton
“My widow, if you are going to be so darned particular about it,” he shouted, inanely.
What's-His-Name
George Barr McCutcheon
He thought at that moment, inanely, he should play more handball.
You Don't Make Wine Like the Greeks Did
David E. Fisher

British Dictionary definitions for inanely

inane

adjective

senseless, unimaginative, or empty; unintelligentinane remarks

Derived Formsinanely, adverb

Word Origin for inane

C17: from Latin inānis empty

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

Word Origin and History for inanely

inane

adj.

"silly, empty-headed," 1819, earlier "empty" (1660s), a back-formation from inanity. Related: Inanely.