platitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "platitude" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a comment or idea that is spoken or written frequently and is not original or creative. For example, you might say "The politician's speech was full of platitudes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The people who mouth the platitude that he never made an enemy in the game are idiots.

The Guardian - Sport

Some of us listening to Thatcher's hastily redrafted party conference speech barely 12 hours after the explosion hoped to hear her express similar sentiments, a reassuring platitude appropriate to a grim day.

The Guardian

He said Blair was 'openly contemptuous of ideology' and that the mantra of 'pursuing social justice' was a 'vacuous platitude'.

The Guardian

Yet as an ending it feels somehow off-key, a heartfelt plea that is also a platitude, and that does little to resolve the weird energies of the movie itself.

The Guardian - Film

Meanwhile, Mr Bush could be useful to him.It is a platitude that Mr Blair's foreign policy was his undoing, and its legacy baleful.

The Economist

It is something of a platitude for Brazilian bosses to say that getting hold of skilled people is the biggest long-term challenge heir businesses face, but almost all repeat it.Yet Brazil is prevented from spending more in these two important areas by odd rules governing public expenditure.

The Economist

The balance of truth and invention in Latin American writing would seem to confirm the platitude that, of the two, the truth is stranger.

The Economist

To take but one example, he cites, "There but for the grace of God go I" as "a platitude which in itself ought to be enough to destroy religion at the root the moment anyone employing it fully grasped what it meant about God".

The Economist

With his photogenic wife and young kids frequently by his side, he will certainly match the First Lady platitude for platitude on the importance of the family and how children matter.Having prepared herself for a celebrity personality contest, Mrs Clinton may now have to talk far more about issues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He might seem like a grinning, platitude-spewing gonk parked superfluously on the end of the judging table, but I've got a sneaky feeling Louis Walsh is actually the beating heart of X Factor.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But behind all the schlock-peddling and platitude-spouting, the transition has been going rather well.That is not, of course, a reliable guide to the future.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "platitude" when you want to criticize a statement or idea for being unoriginal and overused. It implies a lack of depth or sincerity.

Common error

Avoid using "platitude" excessively in formal writing, especially when a more nuanced critique is possible. Overuse can make your analysis sound dismissive or simplistic.

Linguistic Context

The word "platitude" functions primarily as a noun. It refers to a statement or idea that, while presented as meaningful, has become trite and unoriginal through overuse. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "platitude" is a noun used to describe an overused and unoriginal statement or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media and in science. When writing, use "platitude" to express criticism or dismissal of statements lacking depth, but be mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "trite remark" or "hackneyed phrase" to add nuance to your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clichéd expression

Indicates the expression is predictable and lacks impact.

tired cliché

Highlights the cliché's staleness and lack of impact.

overused saying

Focuses on the saying's common and unoriginal nature.

hackneyed phrase

Highlights the phrase's overuse and lack of freshness.

commonplace assertion

Highlights the assertion's ordinariness and lack of surprise.

trite remark

Focuses on the remark being unoriginal and dull.

banal statement

Emphasizes the lack of originality and excitement in the statement.

stale observation

Emphasizes the observation's lack of novelty.

empty rhetoric

Suggests the language is showy but lacks substance.

uninspired idea

Focuses on the idea lacking creativity or originality.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "platitude" in a sentence?

Use "platitude" to describe statements that are overused and lack originality. For example, "The speech was filled with "platitudes" about working hard and achieving your dreams."

What's the difference between a "platitude" and a cliché?

While both terms refer to overused expressions, a "cliché" is a phrase or expression, while a "platitude" is a statement or idea that has become stale through overuse. A "platitude" often presents as a meaningful truth but lacks depth.

What can I say instead of "platitude" to avoid repetition?

Alternatives include "trite remark", "banal statement", or "hackneyed phrase" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "platitude"?

Yes, describing something as a "platitude" is generally negative. It implies that the statement or idea is unoriginal, overused, and lacks genuine meaning or impact.