banal
Lacking any freshness
Banal describes something so ordinary or overused that it lacks freshness or interest.
A banal observation offers nothing new; banal small talk bores.
The word carries mild contempt—what's banal isn't just common but tediously so: The movie's premise was promising, but the dialogue was banal.
Occurring each day
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- humdrumLacking variety or excitement
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
- routineRegular sequence of actions
quotidian · workaday · commonplace · pedestrian · unexceptional · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · nothing-special
Overused and unoriginal
- platitudeTrite, overused remark
- triteOverused, lacking freshness
- bromideOverused phrase or chemical
- chestnutOverused joke or edible nut
old-hat · shopworn · corny · worn-out · threadbare · overworked · well-worn · hoary
Failing to engage interest
- uninterestingFailing to hold attention
- blandLacking distinctive qualities
- insipidWithout flavor or interest
- vapidDull, without depth
colorless · drab · flat · lifeless · uninspired · tedious · dreary · monotonous
Involuntary mouth opening
- snoozeLight brief sleep
- snoozefestTediously dull occasion
- mehIndifference, vocalized
- basicFundamental in nature
generic · forgettable · uninspiring · unimaginative · derivative · unoriginal · stale · tired
everyday
Occurring each day
- ordinaryStandard, unremarkable
- humdrumLacking variety or excitement
- unremarkableNot worthy of comment
routine · quotidian · workaday · commonplace · pedestrian · unexceptional · run-of-the-mill · garden-variety · nothing-special · ho-hum
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
chestnut · old-hat · shopworn · corny · worn-out · threadbare · overworked · well-worn · hoary · rehashed
boring
Failing to engage interest
- uninterestingFailing to hold attention
- blandLacking distinctive qualities
- insipidWithout flavor or interest
vapid · colorless · drab · flat · lifeless · uninspired · tedious · dreary · monotonous · lackluster
yawn
Involuntary mouth opening
- snoozeLight brief sleep
- snoozefestTediously dull occasion
- mehIndifference, vocalized
basic · generic · forgettable · uninspiring · unimaginative · derivative · unoriginal · stale · tired · passé
- dullnessboring, boredom, monotony, dullness, mediocrity
- dull wordsboring, bland, tedious, dreary, monotonous
- theatricaltheatrical, dramatic, melodramatic, histrionic, hammy
banaloriginal
First or inventive
novel · fresh · innovative · inventive · creative
banalfascinating
Extremely interesting or captivating
captivating · riveting · gripping · engrossing · compelling
banalprofound
Intensely meaningful or insightful
meaningful · significant · substantive · weighty · deep
- banality of evilMonstrous acts by ordinary people