noun
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a trite, dull, or obvious remark or statement; a commonplace
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staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of platitude
First recorded in 1805–15; from French: literally, “flatness,” equivalent to plat “flat” ( cf. plate 1) + -itude -tude ( def. )
Explanation
If an executive gives a speech that begins, "This business is all about survival of the fittest. You need to burn the midnight oil and take one for the team," his employees might get sick of listening to these meaningless clichés and tell him to cut the platitudes. The English language contains many old, worn-out clichés, or platitudes. Phrases like "ants in your pants" and "as American as apple pie" are so overused that they've almost lost their meaning. People rely on these tired old remarks when they can't think of anything original to say. Be warned: if you throw too many platitudes into your conversations, people are eventually going to get tired of listening to you.
Vocabulary lists containing platitude
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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.
I’m not here to excuse this essay or deliver some platitude about separating art from the artist.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
As the platitude goes, the cost of community is convenience.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
His platitude of “humility is only a day away” feels more like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2025
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
Pearl waited for a parental platitude to follow: Life isn’t fair, or Fair doesn’t always mean right.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
