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Banal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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banal

ba-nal

🇺🇸 /bəˈnɑɫ/ · 🇬🇧 /bˈeɪnəl/

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

everyday life

lacking originality, common, boring, uninteresting

Synonyms

commonplace, mundane, ordinary, predictable, trite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
banal

Used to describe something very obvious, boring, and lacking originality. Often has a negative connotation.

  • The movie was filled with banal dialogue that didn't add anything to the plot.
  • Her observations about life were rather banal and uninspiring.
trite

Describes a remark or idea that is overused and lacks originality. Often has a negative connotation.

  • His speech was filled with trite expressions and clichés.
  • The author's latest book was criticized for being trite and unoriginal.
mundane

Often refers to something that is very ordinary and not interesting or exciting. It can also refer to the routine aspects of life.

  • Her job involves handling mundane tasks like filing paperwork and answering emails.
  • The book explores the beauty in the mundane aspects of everyday life.
commonplace

Describes something that is frequently seen, heard, or experienced and thus not considered unusual or special.

  • Smartphones have become a commonplace item in today's society.
  • It is commonplace to see people working on their laptops in coffee shops.
ordinary

Describes something that is standard, typical, or expected and does not stand out.

  • He just wanted to lead an ordinary life, free from any drama.
  • The meal was good, but quite ordinary - nothing particularly memorable.
predictable

Used to describe something that can be easily foreseen or expected.

  • The plot of the movie was so predictable that I guessed the ending within the first 10 minutes.
  • Her reactions are always predictable; she doesn't like surprises.

Examples of usage

  • His banal jokes never made anyone laugh.
  • The movie's plot was so banal that it was predictable from the start.
Context #2 | Noun

art

a banal statement or work of art lacks originality and is boring or predictable

Synonyms

cliché, hackneyed, platitude, stale, unoriginal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
banal

Used to describe something that lacks originality to the point of being boring or predictable.

  • The movie was criticized for its banal plot.
  • He offered the same banal advice we had heard before.
cliché

Refers to an overused expression or idea that has lost its impact or novelty.

  • The story of the hero saving the damsel in distress has become a cliché.
  • Her speech was filled with clichés that didn't inspire anyone.
platitude

Relates to a remark or statement that is used so often that it is seen as insincere or meaningless.

  • The politician's speech was full of platitudes about hard work and perseverance.
  • She offered platitudes instead of addressing the real issues.
hackneyed

Describes language, ideas, or artistic work that is overused and unoriginal, often used in literature or art criticism.

  • The novel's ending was rather hackneyed, predictable, and unsatisfying.
  • Hackneyed expressions like 'it is what it is' don't add much value.
stale

Applied to something that no longer excites or interests due to overuse or lack of freshness; can also refer to physical objects like food.

  • His jokes have become stale and no longer make people laugh.
  • The bread was stale and not fit for eating.
unoriginal

Describes work or ideas that are not new or unique, often implying imitation or lack of creativity.

  • The essay was criticized for its unoriginal content.
  • Her designs were unoriginal, looking exactly like those of other famous brands.

Examples of usage

  • Some critics argue that the painting is banal and lacks creativity.
  • The artist was criticized for his banal lyrics and lack of depth.

Translations

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Quick facts about “banal”

Banal is a 2-syllable adjective and noun (ba-nal). It is pronounced /bəˈnɑɫ/ in American English and /bˈeɪnəl/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 10 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #21,523 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'banal'

The word 'banal' originates from the French word 'banal' meaning 'common' or 'ordinary'. It entered the English language in the mid-18th century. Over time, 'banal' has come to describe something lacking originality or interest, often used to criticize unoriginal works of art or mundane conversation.

See also: ban, banish, banned, banner, banning, banter.

Rhymes

Banal rhymes with amal, caul, centrale, coll, reinstall, sol, fall and doll.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,523, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.