banality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "banality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the quality of being unoriginal or lacking in freshness, often in the context of ideas or expressions. Example: "The film was criticized for its banality, failing to offer anything new or thought-provoking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, saying this is not yet enough to account for the best or excellent prose style, since clear linguistic expressions tend to be banal or flat, while good style should avoid such banality.

SEP

The key might be in the utter banality of the visual of got cut.

The Guardian - Opinion

But to see in Knausgaard's epic bildungsroman the evil of banality is to miss the point.

The Guardian - Books

But then, as he points out, the bird hasn't always been the epitome of banality.

The Guardian - Books

Delighted by the exquisite banality of it all?

The Guardian - Opinion

Aside from Jeanne Lapoirie's gorgeous photography, there's a sensational cast of Gallic talent on show: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Beart, Virginie Ledoyen, Fanny Ardant... Felicia's Journey (Atom Egoyan, 1999) 2.10am, FilmFour Egoyan, director of Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter, brings his exotic imagination to bear on the banality of evil in a thriller.

The Guardian

Yet what must disappoint him is the banality that has characterised at least some of the priestly criticism that has come his way.For all Mr Williams's formidable intellectual reputation, it is the prime minister who gives the impression of having thought more deeply and agonised more thoroughly about these difficult issues.

The Economist

Perhaps inspired by Hannah Arendt's concept of "the banality of evil", he prefers to take the viewer back in time to a period when slavery was mundane; he recreates its day-to-day practicalities and its offhand brutalities; and he leaves it to us to decide how to react.

The Economist

He enumerates as strengths the prime minister's combination of great self-confidence with extreme caution, as well as his instinctive feel for the popular mood: an ability, as Mr Rentoul characterises it, to "reflect back the banality of the majority .Both of these strengths might equally well be interpreted as weaknesses.

The Economist

(Talk about the banality of evil).The KAL 007 incident brings up another issue.

The Economist

But few others have managed to find an authentic voice that conveys both the grainy energy and harsh banality of life in the suburbs.Some wonder how far the new trend is politically motivated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing creative works, use "banality" to pinpoint the absence of fresh ideas or perspectives, offering specific examples of what feels overused or uninspired.

Common error

Avoid using "banality" as a vague term of disapproval. Instead, specify what aspects of the subject lack originality or depth. For example, instead of saying "the movie suffered from banality", explain "the movie's plot relied on familiar tropes, ultimately diminishing its impact."

Linguistic Context

The noun "banality" functions as a descriptor of a quality or state, typically characterizing something as lacking in originality, freshness, or depth. Ludwig examples show it describing art, writing, and even aspects of human behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "banality" refers to the quality of being unoriginal or commonplace. As shown by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct noun frequently used in news, encyclopedias, and academic contexts to express criticism or highlight a lack of depth. While semantically similar to terms like "triteness" and "ordinariness", it carries a slightly more formal tone. When using "banality", ensure you're providing specific examples to support your critique rather than using it as a general negative descriptor. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of originality

Directly states the absence of new or unique ideas.

triteness

Highlights the staleness and lack of freshness.

mundanity

Emphasizes the dullness and lack of excitement.

commonplaceness

Emphasizes the lack of novelty due to frequent occurrence.

cliched nature

Directly refers to the reliance on overused expressions.

absence of depth

Indicates a lack of profoundness or insight.

ordinariness

Focuses on the commonness and lack of distinction.

insipidity

Focuses on the lack of flavor or interest.

vapidity

Highlights the lack of substance or meaning.

predictability

Highlights the quality of being easily foreseen and therefore uninteresting.

FAQs

How can I use "banality" in a sentence?

You can use "banality" to describe something that lacks originality or is commonplace. For example, "The "banality of evil" was a key theme in the book." or "The politician's speech was full of "banalities" and offered no new ideas."

What's a good alternative to the word "banality"?

Alternatives to "banality" include "ordinariness", "commonplaceness", "triteness", or "mundanity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "banality" a formal or informal word?

"Banality" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal word. It's appropriate for both academic and journalistic writing but might sound pretentious in very informal contexts.

What is the origin of the term "banality of evil"?

The term ""banality of evil"" was coined by Hannah Arendt in her book Eichmann in Jerusalem to describe how seemingly ordinary individuals can participate in horrific acts without deep reflection or malice.