trite
noun1
A denomination of coinage in ancient Greece equivalent to one third of a stater.
trite
adjUK /tɹaɪt/ · CA, US /tɹaɪt/
Etymology From Latin trītus (“worn out”), perfect passive participle of terō (“to wear away, wear out”).
1
Often used so many times that it is commonplace, or no longer interesting or effective; worn out, hackneyed.
In reference to a word or phrase
- It is a trite saying in a young country that anyone starting out in life with the determination to become wealthy will have his wish gratified.1897, W. B. Kimberly, History of West Australia : A Narrative of Her Past together with Biographies of Her Leading Men:
- It is trite history – and trite law – to say that the law of the sea since that time [World War II] reflects a history of coastal State expansion.1994, Anthony Bergin, “The High Seas Regime – Pacific Trends and Developments”, in James Crawford, Donald R. Rothwell, editors, The Law of the Sea in the Asian Pacific Region: Developments and Prospects, Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, →ISBN, page 183:
3 more examples
- Her people are equally simplistic and trite: evil outlaws, greedy opportunists and whores with hearts of gold.1999 November 2, Michiko Kakutani, “Books of The Times: A Single Girl Takes On the California Frontier”, in The New York Times (E section), New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 7:
- McPedro the cactus: How to woo a woman! On yehr fahrst date, don’t bring her cut flowers! That’s inhumane! And trite!2007, Danielle Corsetto, Girls with Slingshots: 267:
- This show is sensationally absurd and trite, and if you watch it, you know it.2025 April 3, Marina Hyde, “It’s With Love, Meghan – not just a TV show but a landmark piece of art. And not in a good way”, in The Guardian:
2
Law So well established as to be beyond debate: trite law.
- It is trite to say that the mere fact that a decision does not favour the applicant or that the applicant disagrees with the decision does not establish that the decision is tainted with bias.2017, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Taucar v Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, 2017 ONSC 2604
- Related terms
- cliché