Banal | Definition of banal by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of BANAL

: lacking originality, freshness, or novelty : trite

— ba·nal·ize \bə-ˈna-ˌlīz, ba-, -ˈnä-; bā-ˈna-; ˈbā-n^əl-ˌīz\ transitive verb

— ba·nal·ly \bə-ˈnal-lē, ba-, -ˈnäl-; bā-ˈnal-; ˈbā-n^əl-(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

First Known Use: 1825

Related to BANAL

Synonyms: wishy–washy, flat, insipid, milk-and-water, namby-pamby, watery

Antonyms: fresh, new, novel, original, unclichéd, unhackneyed

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>.

Rhymes with BANAL

cabal, canal, Chagall, chorale, copal, corral, decal, fal-lal, grand mal, joual, La Salle, locale, mescal, morale, nopal, pall-mall, pascal, Pascal, percale, quetzal, salal, serval, vinal

Medical Definition of BANAL

: of a common or ordinary kind <banal skin organisms> <a banal inflammation>

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "banal"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "banal"

Nglish: Translation of "banal" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "banal" for Arabic speakers

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