adjective

hackneyed

HAK-need

Hackneyed (adjective) means used so often that it has lost its force or originality. Example: “The speech was a string of hackneyed phrases about journeys and dreams.”

adjective

Used so often that it has lost its force or originality.

"The speech was a string of hackneyed phrases about journeys and dreams."

"It is a hackneyed plot, but the cast make it watchable."

How to use hackneyed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo overused that it has gone flat.

When to use it

Formal and literary; standard in criticism and review writing.

Memory tip

Pronounced in two syllables: HAK-need, with the ey silent.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

hackneyed vs clichéd hackneyed vs hacked

Common pairings

hackneyed phrase hackneyed plot hackneyed metaphor sound hackneyed

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Can you complete this real example?

The speech was a string of _____ phrases about journeys and dreams.

Etymology

From hackney, a horse kept for hire, hence anything made stale and commonplace by constant use.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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clichéd trite stale overused banal

Antonyms

original fresh novel inventive

Related words

new first old final original cool recent river

Rhymes for hackneyed

eyed dyed keyed Fayed swayed flayed frayed annoyed delayed decayed strayed sprayed

See all rhymes for hackneyed →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between hackneyed and cliché?

A cliché is the thing itself, a noun: a phrase or idea worn out by repetition. Hackneyed is the adjective describing anything in that state, whether a phrase, a plot or an image. A hackneyed expression is a cliché.

Can hackneyed describe more than words?

Yes. Plots, arguments, jokes, camera shots and design ideas can all be hackneyed. It applies to anything that has been repeated until it stopped having any effect.

What is the meaning of hackneyed?

"hackneyed" (adjective) means used so often that it has lost its force or originality.

What is another word for hackneyed?

Other words for "hackneyed" include clichéd, trite, stale, overused, banal.

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new first old final original cool recent river