# trite

/ˈtɹaɪt/ (US) · /tɹˈaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trite
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

describing something that is so common or overused that it has lost its original meaning or interest. You use this to talk about ideas, phrases, or stories that are no longer fresh.

For teachers: lacking originality or freshness; having become common or overused through excessive repetition. Often used to describe clichés, platitudes, or unoriginal arguments.

## Examples

- The movie's plot is full of trite dialogue.
- The lawyer's opening statement was criticized for being trite, as it relied on well-worn legal phrases rather than new evidence.
- While the author's early work was praised for its originality, his later novels were dismissed as trite, failing to offer any new perspective on the classic themes of love and loss.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.