jejune

play

adjective je·june \ji-ˈjün\

Definition of jejune

1 : juvenile, puerile jejune reflections on life and art
2 : devoid of significance or interest : dull jejune lectures
3 : lacking nutritive value jejune diets

jejunely

adverb

jejuneness

play \-ˈjün-nəs\ noun

See jejune defined for English-language learners

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Examples of jejune in a Sentence

She made jejune remarks about life and art.
another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes

Did You Know?

Starved for excitement? You won't get it from something jejune. That term derives from the Latin jejunus, which means "empty of food," "meager," or "hungry." Back in the 1600s, English speakers used jejune in senses very similar to those of its Latin parent, lamenting "jejune appetites" and "jejune morsels." Something that is meager rarely satisfies, and before long jejune was being used not only for meager meals or hunger, but for things wanting in intellectual or emotional substance. The word most likely gained its "childish" sense when people confused it with the look-alike French word jeune, which means "young."

Origin and Etymology of jejune

Latin jejunus empty of food, hungry, meager

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First Known Use: 1646

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of jejune

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