well-worn

[wel-wawrn, -wohrn]

adjective

1. showing the effects of extensive use or wear.

   well-worn carpets.

2. trite, hackneyed, or stale.

   a well-worn saying.

3. fittingly or becomingly worn or borne.

   a well-worn reserve that never seems haughty.

well-worn

adjective

1. so much used as to be affected by wear

   a well-worn coat

2. used too often; hackneyed

   a well-worn phrase

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-worn¹

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

But unlike them, Roy, 31, grew up far away from the elite cultural influences of Kolkata, and took a path more well-worn by small-town Indians - a college degree followed by a call-centre job.

From BBC

The president is definitely alive and sounded like his normal self, which is to say he let loose a bunch of lies, strange fantasies and well-worn rants.

From Salon

This is a well-worn theme of Starmer's leadership, but he is willing to demote, sideline or dispense with people who have served him very closely.

From BBC

In that disarray, it may seem easy and safe in 2028 to travel the well-worn route of “a straight, old white guy who fills the status quo.”

From Los Angeles Times

That is the well-worn path of sinners come to confession, or, in secular terms, Whittaker Chambers renouncing his allegiance to Stalin.

From Salon

Related Words

• dull 
• humdrum 
• lifeless 
• monotonous 
• mundane 
• stale 
• stodgy 
• stuffy 
• stupid 
• tame 
• tedious 
• tiresome 
• tiring www.thesaurus.com
• trite 
• uninteresting