inane

[ ih-neyn ]

adjective

1. lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly:

   inane questions.

   Synonyms: pointless, absurd

2. empty; void.

noun

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

inane

/ ɪˈneɪn /

adjective

1. senseless, unimaginative, or empty; unintelligent

   inane remarks

Derived Forms

• inˈanely, adverb

Other Words From

• in·anely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of inane¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of inane¹

C17: from Latin inānis empty

Example Sentences

To stand or sit next to someone important and make him feel insecure by saying inane but profound-sounding things.

From Washington Post

This is all a very long lead-up to discussing Fox’s new series Alter Ego, a show so inane that the pendulum swings the other way and forces you to think anthropologically about how we got here.

From The Daily Beast

Which explains why the alternately charming and inane Cooking With Paris makes for such an uncanny viewing experience.

From Time

Beyond social media, some of your friends also spam you with inane instant-message notifications.

From Popular-Science

It might well be a shock to you that members of the United States Congress would attach their names to formal documents defaced with inane, lame, juvenile titles.

From Washington Post

And they would, it seems, nominate any movie—no matter how inane—to get those big-name butts in the seats.

From The Daily Beast

If only instead of brushing off the seemingly inane, we asked ourselves but why is this person famous?

From The Daily Beast

And beware the perky morning anchors with their inane questions (Aretha Franklin).

From The Daily Beast

Inane and disturbing hashtags have been lobbed by those often far removed from the rocket fire.

From The Daily Beast

“X-men Origins: Wolverine” featured a pharmaceutical plot twist so inane it was almost awesome.

From The Daily Beast

Alarm grew in Garnache's mind, but his face maintained its foolish vacancy, its inane smile.

From Project Gutenberg

I should not allow inane sentimentality to influence me: it is beneath the revolutionist.

From Project Gutenberg

One can get amongst set after set of fellows, and into plenty of inane fashionable drawing-rooms; but, bai Jove!

From Project Gutenberg

Among the Aryan nations an meant mind, and this term is clearly responsible for inane or without ane.

From Project Gutenberg

Next week I shall devour them and think them, no doubt, inane.

From Project Gutenberg

When To Use

What are other ways to say inane?

Something inane lacks sense, significance, or ideas. Do you know when to use inane, fatuous, silly, foolish, stupid, and asinine? Find out on Thesaurus.com.