Vocabulary word Platitude - Practice with online flashcards, spelling bees and vocabulary quizzes

Denial and Defiance

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Disdain and Contempt

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Drama and Overreaction

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Dull and Uninteresting

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Frustration and Exasperation

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GRE 1 (Graduate Record Examination)

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Dictionary Definition of platitude

A statement or remark that is so overused that it has lost its power to be meaningful or interesting.
"The coach's encouragement sounded like an empty platitude."

Detailed Meaning of Platitude

A platitude is a statement or remark that is trite, commonplace, or unoriginal. Platitudes are often used in place of more thoughtful or insightful observations, and can be seen as a form of cliche. They are often used without much consideration and are not meant to be original or insightful. Platitudes can be found in many forms of communication, such as speeches, advertising, and everyday conversation. They can be used to fill silence or to make small talk, but they can also be used to avoid dealing with difficult or sensitive subjects. Platitudes can be seen as a form of filler language that can be used to fill space, sound good, and make the speaker appear knowledgeable without adding any real value.

Example Sentences for Platitude

1. His response was nothing but a tired platitude.
2. The speaker's reliance on clichés made his message sound like a platitude.
3. The book offered little more than shallow platitudes.
4. She rolled her eyes at the repeated use of that platitude.
5. The conversation was filled with meaningless platitudes.
6. Instead of meaningful advice, he offered a simple platitude.

Origin and Etymology of Platitude

The noun 'platitude' traces its etymology to the French word 'plat,' meaning 'flat' or 'dull.' In its original French form, 'platitude' referred to something that was flat or lacking in depth, much like a flat landscape. When it entered the English language, 'platitude' came to describe statements or remarks that were so overused and lacking in originality that they had become flat, dull, and uninteresting. It emphasizes the idea that such statements have lost their power to be meaningful or thought-provoking due to their excessive repetition. Thus, the etymology of 'platitude' underscores its use as a noun to convey the concept of clichéd and unoriginal expressions that have become tiresome and devoid of impact.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the noun platitude:

insight

cliché

profundity

originality

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Platitude

1. The article's conclusion felt like a forced platitude.
2. The politician's statement was seen as a calculated platitude.
3. She dismissed his remarks as mere platitudes.
4. His reassurances were empty platitudes.
5. The teacher's feedback contained a well-worn platitude.
6. The company's mission statement included a clichéd platitude.
7. The advice she gave was just another platitude.
8. The manager's speech was filled with tired platitudes.
9. The boss's pep talk was nothing more than a shallow platitude.
10. The seminar provided little more than generic platitudes.
11. He used that same platitude in every conversation.
12. Instead of genuine concern, his response seemed like a platitude.
13. He was criticized for offering only platitudes in response to the crisis.
14. The speech was filled with platitudes and lacked any real substance.
15. He was known for using platitudes instead of providing real solutions.
16. She was disappointed by the platitudes in the self-help book.
17. The conversation was filled with platitudes and lacked any real depth.
18. He was accused of avoiding the real issues with platitudes.
19. The politician was regurgitating the usual platitudes about our thoughts and prayers.
20. She was frustrated by the platitudes in the motivational speech.
21. The article was filled with platitudes and failed to address the real issues.
22. He was known for his platitudes and lack of originality.
23. She was annoyed by the platitudes in the fortune cookie.
24. The meeting was filled with platitudes and failed to accomplish anything.