platitude

[plat-i-tood, -tyood]

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.

platitude

/ ˈplætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

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

2. staleness or insipidity of thought or language; triteness

Other Word Forms

• platitudinous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of platitude¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of platitude¹

C19: from French, literally: flatness, from plat flat

Example Sentences

Yet the platitudes exchanged by the pair - who appear to have a genuine warmth in a relationship - indicated they are already looking forward to locking horns again in the 2026 season.

Read more on BBC

Major players like Facebook and Google promoted platitudes about unfettered access to information and instant connectivity to friends and neighbors while privately crafting silos to push users toward avenues they could monetize.

Read more on Salon

This therapist is a poor listener; that one’s a pill-pusher; the one recommended by your seemingly well-adjusted good friend has nothing to offer but platitudes better suited for bumper stickers.

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But there’s only so much an actor can do with outbursts and tearful platitudes of affection.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• banality 
• bromide