adj.
Pronunciation: ' tr ī t
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: 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views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date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>.