I had to look it up to get a good handle on this...


Main Entry: trite
Pronunciation: 'trIt
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): trit·er; trit·est
Etymology: Latin tritus, from past participle of terere to rub, wear away -- more at THROW
: 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views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date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>.