Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of platitudes - 3 dictionary results
Platitudes at Amazon.com
Save on platitudes! Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com

plat⋅i⋅tude

  [plat-i-tood, -tyood]
Use platitudes in a Sentence
–noun
1. a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound.
2. the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite: the platitude of most political oratory.
Origin:
1805–15; < F: lit., flatness, equiv. to plat flat (see plate 1 ) + -itude, as in F latitude, altitude, magnitude, etc.

Synonyms:
1. cliché, truism.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To platitudes
Platitudes at Amazon.com
Save on platitudes! Qualified orders over $25 ship free
Amazon.com
plat·i·tude   (plāt'ĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd')   
n.  

  1. A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. See Synonyms at cliché.

  2. Lack of originality; triteness.


[French, from plat, flat, from Old French; see plate.]
plat'i·tu'di·nous (-tōōd'n-əs, -tyōōd'-), plat'i·tu'di·nal (-tōōd'n-əl, -tyōōd'-) adj., plat'i·tu'di·nous·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

platitude 
1812, "dullness," from Fr. platitude "flatness, vapidness" (1694), from O.Fr. plat "flat" (see plate); formed on analogy of latitude, attitude, etc. Meaning "a flat, dull, or commonplace remark" is recorded from 1815.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see platitudes on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way