banal

/bəˈnæl/

/bəˈnæl/

Other forms: banally

If something is boring and unoriginal, it's banal. Banal things are dull as dishwater.

Ever notice how some TV shows, songs, and even phrases are boring and unoriginal? It's like you've seen or heard the same thing a million times. Anything that's unoriginal and dull is banal — a fancy word for things that bore you to tears. When you're writing, try not to be banal. Clichés and dull topics are banal. New ideas, fresh language, and unusual subject matter can keep your writing from being dreary and banal.

Definitions of banal

1. adjective

   repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
   synonyms: commonplace, hackneyed, old-hat, shopworn, stock, threadbare, timeworn, tired, trite, well-worn

   unoriginal

   not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual