platitude
C2Formal, literary, critical
Definition
Meaning
A commonplace remark or statement, especially one uttered as if it were fresh or significant.
A statement that is overused, lacking originality or depth of thought, often used to avoid engaging with the complexity of an issue or to fill conversational space.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It inherently carries a negative, critical connotation, implying the statement is trivial, clichéd, or insincere. It often critiques lazy or unthinking communication.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning or usage. The word is used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical negative connotations of banality and superficiality.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British formal and journalistic writing, but used in both varieties with comparable frequency for its register.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
utter a platitudeoffer a platitudespout platitudesresort to platitudesdescend into platitudebe dismissed as a platitudeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Platitudes won't solve the problem.”
- “He spoke in platitudes.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critiquing corporate communications that lack substance, e.g., 'The CEO's response was full of management platitudes about synergy.'
Academic
Critiquing superficial analysis in essays or papers, e.g., 'The conclusion lapses into political platitudes rather than a rigorous synthesis.'
Everyday
Expressing frustration with clichéd advice or condolences, e.g., 'I didn't need platitudes; I needed practical help.'
Technical
Rare. Could be used in literary or rhetorical criticism to describe clichéd writing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He platitudinised for twenty minutes without saying anything of substance.
- The speech was platitudinous.
American English
- He platitudinized about the American dream for an hour.
- The speech was platitudinous.
adjective
British English
- His platitudinous remarks did nothing to calm the worried staff.
American English
- The senator gave a platitudinous response to the tough question.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Time heals all wounds' is a common platitude.
- The politician's speech was criticised for being full of empty platitudes.
- Weary of the candidate's platitudinous promises, the press demanded specific policy details.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PLATE of TUNA that's been left out for DAYS. It's STALE, unappetizing, and no one wants it. A PLATITUDE is a STALE, unoriginal remark that no one finds insightful.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION AS NOURISHMENT: A platitude is stale/spoiled food, offering no sustenance. THOUGHT AS DEPTH: A platitude is a shallow puddle, not a deep well.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'платить' (to pay).
- The Russian word 'пластичность' refers to 'plasticity/flexibility', not 'platitude'.
- The closest conceptual Russian equivalent is often 'банальность', 'избитая фраза', or 'штамп'.
- Avoid the false friend 'плоскость' (which primarily means 'flatness' or 'shallowness' in a geometric sense, not a conversational one).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'plattitude' (double 't') or 'platitute'.
- Using it to describe any statement one disagrees with, rather than a specifically banal or clichéd one.
- Confusing with 'latitude' (freedom) due to similar sound.
- Pronouncing the first syllable as /plɑː/ instead of /plæ/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following statements best exemplifies a 'platitude'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. A platitude is often a truism—a statement that is obviously true. Its fault is not falsity, but banality and lack of meaningful insight in a given context.
They are closely related. A cliché is an overused phrase or idea. A platitude is a cliché that is presented as if it were a wise, original, or meaningful contribution, often in a moralising or pretentious way.
Almost never. Its standard use is pejorative. A comforting, familiar saying might be called a 'maxim' or 'adage' to avoid the negative judgment of 'platitude'.
The most common adjective is 'platitudinous'. The rare verb is 'to platitudinize' (US) / 'platitudinise' (UK).