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Lacking in originality, freshness, or novelty; trite.
synonyms:mundanehackneyed
The word 'banal' comes from the Middle French word 'banal', which referred to something that is common or belonging to a lord. It was derived from 'ban', meaning 'a summons' or 'a proclamation'.
Everyday use, often in discussions about creativity, art, or general observations.
While not an everyday word for everyone, 'banal' is commonly used in literary, artistic, and critical discussions.
The movie was criticized for its banal plot and predictable characters.
She found the speaker's arguments to be rather banal and uninspiring.
His comments during the meeting were alarmingly banal, lacking any insightful contributions.
The word 'banal' is a fantastic way to describe something that feels unoriginal or overly familiar. With roots in Middle French, it originally referred to things that were common or standard, much like a shared proclamation. Today, we often use it to critique art, writing, or even conversations that fail to excite or provoke thought. So next time you encounter something that feels utterly cliché, remember, it might just be 'banal'!