platitude

American  

[plat-i-tood, -tyood] / ˈplæt ɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.

   Synonyms:

   truism, cliché

2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite.

   the platitude of most political oratory.

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platitude British  

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace

2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness

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Other Word Forms

• platitudinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of platitude

First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “flatness,” equivalent to plat “flat” ( plate ¹ ) + -itude -tude ( def. )

Example Sentences

As the platitude goes, the cost of community is convenience.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Its wheels’ gold rims, capped with smiley faces, are emblazoned with the platitude “Where Dreams Are Made,” while the whole thing is ornamented with piped-icing filigree.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

The head of the oil and gas regulator says cutting the sector's carbon emissions is not "a platitude or a soundbite" but presents significant commercial benefits.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025

To remain true to our most authentic selves, a lesson which, although a cliche platitude of sorts, is something I think we could all benefit from.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2023

To Forward, this owes to their abilities to have confronted the truth, expressed it, become genuine—in a way that isn’t possible through platitude or mere positive affirmation.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• banality
• bromide