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Definition of "platitude" [plat•i•tude]

  • A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant. See Synonyms at cliché. (noun)
  • Lack of originality; triteness. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "platitude" in a sentence
  • "Thinking man's therapy, about philosophical counselors and their bringing eternal wisdom to bear on mental health problems, I was reminded that many years ago Patricia Pliner, a professor friend of mine, and I invented what we called platitude therapy."
  • "And that ridiculous platitude is literally everything you need to know about Sarah Palin."
  • "Besides, as your able Ambassador in Washington, Hume Wrong, said the other day, a platitude is but a "frozen truth" which must be repeated from time to time."