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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishSo overused it has lost any real impact — a stale cliché.
Common pairings
trite phrase
trite and predictable
sound trite
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Word forms
- Plural
- trites
- Comparative
- triter
- Superlative
- tritest
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").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for trite
See all rhymes for trite →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").
