- 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>.
