trite

/ˈtrīt/

borrowed from Latin trītus "worn by rubbing, (of clothes) threadbare, (of practices) familiar, common, (of words or expressions) commonly used," from past participle of terere "to rub, grind, wear down," going back to Indo-European *terh- "rub, bore," whence also Greek teírein "to wear down, exhaust," téretron "auger," Old Church Slavic tĭrǫ, trĭti or trŭti "to rub," Lithuanian tiriù, tìrti "to investigate, find out" (< "wear down with questions"), trinù, trìnti "to rub"

adjective

  1. hackneyed or boring from much use : not fresh or original

trite hackneyed stereotyped threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest. trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity. hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.