Main Entry: trite

Pronunciation: \ˈtrīt\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): trit·er; trit·est

Etymology: Latin tritus, from past participle of terere to rub, wear away — more at throw

Date: 1548

: hackneyed or boring from much use : not fresh or original

— trite·ly adverb

— trite·ness noun

synonyms trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest. trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity <“you win some, you lose some” is a trite expression>. hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless <all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed>. stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form <views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date>. threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted <a mystery novel with a threadbare plot>.