adjective

trite

tryt

Trite (adjective) means Overused to the point of being boring or meaningless; unoriginal. Example: “The speech was full of trite phrases like "at the end of the day.”

adjective

Overused to the point of being boring or meaningless; unoriginal.

"The speech was full of trite phrases like "at the end of the day.""

"Critics found the film's ending predictable and trite."

How to Use Trite

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo overused it has lost any real impact — a stale cliché.

Common pairings

trite phrase trite and predictable sound trite

Word Forms

triter comparative, trites plural, trites plural, tritest superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The speech was full of _____ phrases like "at the end of the day."

Etymology

From Latin trītus, "worn out," from terō ("to wear away").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for trite

rite bite lite kite cite mite site white write smite quite spite

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “trite” mean?

The word “trite” means overused to the point of being boring or meaningless; unoriginal. In plain terms, so overused it has lost any real impact — a stale cliché.

How do you pronounce “trite”?

“Trite” is pronounced tryt (/tɹaɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “trite” in a sentence?

Here is “trite” used in a sentence: “The speech was full of trite phrases like "at the end of the day.".”

What part of speech is “trite”?

“Trite” is an adjective.

Where does the word “trite” come from?

The word “trite” comes from Latin. From Latin trītus, "worn out," from terō ("to wear away").