trite

[ trahyt ]
See synonyms for trite on Thesaurus.com
adjective,trit·er, trit·est.
  1. lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale: the trite phrases in his letter.

  2. characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.: The commencement address was trite and endlessly long.

  1. Archaic. rubbed or worn by use.

Origin of trite

1
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin trītus “worn, common,” past participle of terere “to rub, wear down”

synonym study For trite

1. See commonplace.

Other words for trite

Opposites for trite

Other words from trite

  • tritely, adverb
  • triteness, noun
  • un·trite, adjective
  • un·trite·ly, adverb
  • un·trite·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for trite

trite

/ (traɪt) /


adjective
  1. hackneyed; dull: a trite comment

  2. archaic frayed or worn out

Origin of trite

1
C16: from Latin trītus worn down, from terere to rub

Derived forms of trite

  • tritely, adverb
  • triteness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012