platitude

views updated May 21 2018

plat·i·tude / ˈplatiˌt(y)oōd/ • n. a remark or statement, esp. one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful: she began uttering liberal platitudes. ∎  the quality of being dull, ordinary, or trite: educators willing to violate the bounds of platitude.DERIVATIVES: plat·i·tu·di·nize / ˌplatiˈt(y)oōdnˌīz/ v.plat·i·tu·di·nous / ˌplatiˈt(y)oōdn-əs/ adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

PLATITUDE

views updated May 09 2018

PLATITUDE. A commonplace statement or remark, especially if presented as though newly minted or uttered with an air of solemnity, as in ‘I've said it before and no doubt I'll say it again: There is no smoke without fire.’ Compare CLICHÉ, PROVERB.

Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language TOM McARTHUR

platitude

views updated May 21 2018

platitude XIX. — F., f. plat flat (see PLATE), after certitude, exactitude, etc.; see -TUDE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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