Main Entry: in·sip·id

Pronunciation: \in-ˈsi-pəd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: French & Late Latin; French insipide, from Late Latin insipidus, from Latin in- + sapidus savory, from sapere to taste — more at sage

Date: 1609

1 : lacking taste or savor : tasteless <insipid food>
2 : lacking in qualities that interest, stimulate, or challenge : dull, flat <insipid prose>

— in·si·pid·i·ty \ˌin-sə-ˈpi-də-tē\ noun

— in·sip·id·ly \in-ˈsi-pəd-lē\ adverb

synonyms insipid, vapid, flat, jejune, banal, inane mean devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character. insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest <an insipid romance with platitudes on every page>. vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit <an exciting story given a vapid treatment>. flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest <although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat>. jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance <a jejune and gassy speech>. banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy <a banal tale of unrequited love>. inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality <an inane interpretation of the play>.