platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈpla-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

1

: the quality or state of being dull or insipid

2

: a banal, trite, or stale remark

Synonyms

• banality
• bromide
• chestnut
• cliché
• cliche
• commonplace
• groaner
• homily
• shibboleth
• trope
• truism

Examples of platitude in a Sentence

His speech was filled with familiar platitudes about the value of hard work and dedication.

“blondes have more fun” is a silly platitude

Recent Examples on the Web

However, too often, sales kickoffs fall short of their potential, becoming mere exercises in rote presentations and motivational platitudes. —Anjai Lal, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Will Goldenvoice apologize — not just with corporate platitudes, but with meaningful action? —Lee Trink, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025

The Portuguese novelist José Saramago is a master of such ironies, in which a narrator’s bland clichés and platitudes hang in the air, neither quite owned nor quite disavowed, waiting to be ironized by the action of the novel. —James Wood, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

Frantic calls to Cabinet agencies about home-district impacts were yielding platitudes and not promises. —Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from plat flat, dull

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for platitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• certitude
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude

Kids Definition

platitude

noun

plat·​i·​tude ˈplat-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

1

: the quality or state of being dull or not stimulating

2

: an obvious, stale, or shallow remark