Skip to main content

platitude — a remark or statement that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful; a trite or banal comment

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a remark or statement that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful; a trite or banal comment

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈplætɪˌtuːd/

Example Sentences

  • The graduation speaker bored everyone with platitudes like 'Follow your dreams' and 'Believe in yourself.'
  • Instead of offering real solutions, the politician just recited the same old platitudes.
  • My fortune cookie contained the platitude 'Good things come to those who wait' - how original!

platitude

NOUN

[/ˈplætɪˌtuːd/]

a remark or statement that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful; a trite or banal comment

The graduation speaker's platitude about 'chasing your dreams' made students yawn.
💡 Concept

The graduation speaker's platitude about 'chasing your dreams' made students yawn.

His speech was full of platitudes: work hard, stay positive, and everything will work out. (Think: PLATITUDE → “PLAIN ATTITUDE”: PLAIN ATTITUDE → predictable words → PLATITUDE)
🧠 Mnemonic

His speech was full of platitudes: work hard, stay positive, and everything will work out. (Think: PLATITUDE → “PLAIN ATTITUDE”: PLAIN ATTITUDE → predictable words → PLATITUDE)

His platitude was to keep a positive attitude and show gratitude, even when the team needed a real solution.
🎵 Rhyme

His platitude was to keep a positive attitude and show gratitude, even when the team needed a real solution.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈplætɪˌtuːd/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈplætɪˌtjuːd/

🌳Etymology

Rootplat
Suffix--itude

Origin

From French 'platitude,' derived from the adjective 'plat' meaning 'flat' or 'dull.' The suffix '-itude' forms abstract nouns denoting a state or quality, similar to Latin '-tudo.'

Breakdown

plat (flat, dull) + -itude (state or quality) = platitude (the quality of being flat or dull in expression)

🎵Rhyme

attitude
gratitude
latitude

🔗Collocations

empty platitudes
spout platitudes
tired platitudes
meaningless platitudes
avoid platitudes
political platitudes

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The graduation speaker bored everyone with platitudes like 'Follow your dreams' and 'Believe in yourself.'”

“Instead of offering real solutions, the politician just recited the same old platitudes.”

😄 Fun example

“My fortune cookie contained the platitude 'Good things come to those who wait' - how original!”

“The self-help book was nothing but a collection of worn-out platitudes.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.