Word
insipid
Phoneticsin·sipid
US/ˌɪnˈsɪpəd/
UK/ɪnsˈɪpɪd/
Definition
adj. having almost no taste or flavour, like plain rice with no salt. You also use it for things or people that feel dull and boring.
adj. lacking flavour, vigour, or interest; dull and lifeless. Extends from food and drink without distinctive taste to people, writing, or entertainment without liveliness or character.
Examples
“This soup tastes insipid without salt and pepper.”
“The hotel buffet looks impressive, but most dishes taste insipid after hours under heat lamps.”
“Critics dismissed the sequel as insipid, a technically polished film that reproduces familiar beats without conviction or surprise.”
Examples
simple
“This soup tastes insipid without salt and pepper.”
contextual
“The hotel buffet looks impressive, but most dishes taste insipid after hours under heat lamps.”
complex
“Critics dismissed the sequel as insipid, a technically polished film that reproduces familiar beats without conviction or surprise.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “insipid” in context.
Verb
01. border on insipid
“The background music borders on insipid, with no memorable melody.”
verb + prep + adj
02. consider insipid
“Scholars consider his later poetry insipid compared to his early work.”
verb + adj
03. dismiss as insipid
“The committee dismissed the proposal as insipid and lacking ambition.”
verb + prep + adj
04. find insipid
“Many viewers found the sitcom insipid and switched off after ten minutes.”
verb + adj
Adjective
05. hopelessly insipid
“The debate was hopelessly insipid, with neither candidate saying anything new.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. insipid character
“The novel centres on an insipid character the reader never cares about.”
adj + noun
07. insipid conversation
“Dinner dragged through an hour of insipid conversation about the weather.”
adj + noun
08. insipid food
“Airline meals are often insipid food served without enough seasoning.”
adj + noun
09. a dull, insipid plot
“The thriller has a dull, insipid plot with no real twists.”
10. bland and insipid fare
“The canteen serves bland and insipid fare that students barely touch.”
11. dull and insipid performance
“The band delivered a dull and insipid performance to a bored crowd.”
12. find the dialogue insipid
“Critics found the dialogue insipid and full of tired cliches.”
Real-World Examples
“The insipid varieties that have gained popularity today—lacking in color, flavor, and aroma—do not qualify as true rum.” “Reckless," a summer crime-drama that premieres on CBS this Sunday, is set on being insipid, despite occasionally hinting at the potential for deeper storytelling.” “The score by Mr. Geld is so insipid and clichéd that it makes one notice Don Walker's orchestrations, which are consistently vulgar.” Etymology
From French insipide, from Latin īnsipidus (“tasteless”), from in- (“not”) + sapidus (“savory”). In some senses, perhaps influenced by insipient (“unwise, foolish, stupid”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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