YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

trite

Adjective

IPA /traɪt/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

Unoriginal and dull because it has been used or expressed too often.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

trite/traɪt/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

A phrase initially sounds memorable
It is repeated far too often
It loses freshness and interest

A trite phrase is dull because it has been used too often.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

The greeting card's trite message made her choose a blank one instead.
The tutor encouraged students to replace trite phrases with precise observations.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

The greeting card's ________ message made her choose a blank one instead.

Show the answer

trite — Unoriginal and dull because it has been used or expressed too often.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “trite” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Unoriginal and dull because it has been used or expressed too often.

Compare: The greeting card's trite message made her choose a blank one instead.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin tritus, meaning rubbed or worn, from terere.

Did you know?

Trite often describes remarks, phrases, advice or ideas.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.