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Inane: meaning, definitions and examples

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inane

 

[ ɪˈneɪn ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

lack of meaning

The term 'inane' refers to something that is lacking sense or meaning. It is often used to describe remarks, comments, or behaviors that seem silly or pointless. Inane statements typically do not contribute to a meaningful conversation or add value to a discussion. People might use this word to criticize others for being shallow or unthoughtful in their expressions. Overall, inane describes a quality of emptiness or voidness in content and purpose.

Synonyms

empty, foolish, meaningless, pointless, silly

Examples of usage

  • His inane comments during the meeting drew eye rolls.
  • The film was criticized for its inane plot.
  • She was tired of the inane chatter at the party.

Translations

Translations of the word "inane" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inútil

🇮🇳 व्यर्थ

🇩🇪 eitel

🇮🇩 tidak berguna

🇺🇦 марний

🇵🇱 bezsensowny

🇯🇵 無意味な (muimi na)

🇫🇷 insensé

🇪🇸 inútil

🇹🇷 gereksiz

🇰🇷 무의미한 (muimihan)

🇸🇦 عديم الفائدة (ʿadīm al-fā'idah)

🇨🇿 bezvýznamný

🇸🇰 bezvýznamný

🇨🇳 无意义的 (wú yìyì de)

🇸🇮 neumen

🇮🇸 ómerkilegur

🇰🇿 пайдасыз

🇬🇪 უსარგებლო (usargeblo)

🇦🇿 boş

🇲🇽 inútil

Etymology

The word 'inane' has its origins in the Latin word 'inanis', which means 'empty' or 'void.' This term was adopted into Middle English around the late 14th century, evolving its meaning to refer to something devoid of meaning or significance. Over time, 'inane' has maintained its connotation of emptiness and has been used primarily in a pejorative sense to describe comments, ideas, or actions that are perceived as trivial or lacking substance. As the English language evolved, so did the usage of 'inane', becoming common in both spoken and written forms, particularly in critiques of dialogue or reasoning. The shift from its Latin roots to modern usage reflects a broader semantic change that emphasizes intellectual emptiness rather than physical absence.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,159, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.