First Known Use: 1825
Dictionary
banal
adjective ba·nal \bə-ˈnal, ba-, -ˈnäl; bā-ˈnal; ˈbā-nəl\
: boring or ordinary : not interesting
Full Definition of BANAL
— ba·nal·ize \bə-ˈna-ˌlīz, ba-, -ˈnä-; bā-ˈna-; ˈbā-nəl-ˌīz\ transitive verb
— ba·nal·ly \bə-ˈnal-lē, ba-, -ˈnäl-; bā-ˈnal-; ˈbā-nəl-(l)ē\ adverb
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Examples of BANAL
- The more banal, the more commonplace, the more predictable, the triter, the staler, the dumber, the better. —Don DeLillo, Mao II, 1991
- … it seemed to me that computers have been used in ways that are salutary, in ways that are dangerous, banal and cruel, and in ways that seem harmless if a little silly. —Tracy Kidder, The Soul of a New Machine, 1981
- The instructor's script is banal, relying heavily on images of waves on a beach or clouds in the sky. —Maxine Kumin, “Wintering Over,” 1979, in In Deep, 1987
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Origin of BANAL
French, from Middle French, of compulsory feudal service, possessed in common, commonplace, from ban
Related to BANAL
- Synonyms
- wishy–washy, flat, insipid, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, watery
Synonym Discussion of BANAL
insipid, vapid, flat, jejune, banal, inane mean devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character. insipid implies a lack of sufficient taste or savor to please or interest <an insipid romance with platitudes on every page>. vapid suggests a lack of liveliness, force, or spirit <an exciting story given a vapid treatment>. flat applies to things that have lost their sparkle or zest <although well-regarded in its day, the novel now seems flat>. jejune suggests a lack of rewarding or satisfying substance <a jejune and gassy speech>. banal stresses the complete absence of freshness, novelty, or immediacy <a banal tale of unrequited love>. inane implies a lack of any significant or convincing quality <an inane interpretation of the play>.
Medical Dictionary
banal
adjective ba·nal \bə-ˈnal, ba-, -ˈnȧl; bā-ˈnal; ˈbān-əl\
Medical Definition of BANAL
: of a common or ordinary kind <banal skin organisms> <a banal inflammation>
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