adjective
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inane
First recorded in 1655–65, inane is from the Latin word inānis
Explanation
If something is inane, it's silly or senseless. If you just want to space out, you won't mind the inane chatter on TV, as long as it's on. Inane comes from the Latin inanis, for empty, and you can think of it as empty-headed. We call something inane if it states the obvious, or is really silly in a way that seems unintelligent. If you give your boss a presentation in a bunny suit and sing a song about being happy, she might say, "Get out of here with your inane bunny act!" Other synonyms are stupid, vacuous, ridiculous, pointless.
Vocabulary lists containing inane
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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The Catcher in the Rye
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "I"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Ficarra’s contribution to a standard character includes a silent, disapproving commentary on the sometimes inane antics of his boss.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Stars dictated dressing‑room dynamics, influenced tactical decisions and sometimes overshadowed the collective with inane disputes over things like training schedules or even who should take penalties.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
Before “Yellowstone” hit, most prime-time TV was crime shows, reality shows and inane sitcoms.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026
But Tuason’s eye for horror framing and ear for chilling sound work make the film’s inane elements easy to overlook — at least for a while.
From Salon ● Mar. 15, 2026
Due to his upbringing, Hugh sits through inane movies never realizing that they're often based on inane television shows.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
