trite
Americanadjective
-
lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale.
the trite phrases in his letter.
- Synonyms:
- ordinary
- Antonyms:
- original
-
characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc..
The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.
-
Archaic. rubbed or worn by use.
adjective
-
hackneyed; dull
a trite comment
-
archaic frayed or worn out
Usage
What does trite mean? Trite describes something as being boring or ineffective because it is used so much, as in All politicians seem to make the same trite promises to be honest.Something that is trite is stale and worn out. It’s most often used to criticize or insult someone’s speech or writing ability.Example: This lecture kept going in circles and was so trite.
Related Words
See commonplace.
Other Word Forms
- tritely adverb
- triteness noun
- untrite adjective
- untritely adverb
- untriteness noun
Etymology
Origin of trite
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin trītus “worn, common,” past participle of terere “to rub, wear down”
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.
Your friend will find something else; she doesn’t need a trite saying to confirm that.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 2, 2026
“That sounds maybe trite or simple, but the only way we hold on to our democracy is if people continue to participate and continue to trust it and put their faith in it.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026
Which brings us to the primary, indeed only, reason to revisit this dated and fundamentally trite show: the music.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
And as this act goes on, he opts for a trite missive about being with the one you love at the end of the world.
From Salon • Jun. 15, 2025
The only expression more trite than tongue in cheek is tongue firmly in cheek.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
