Platitude vs. Banal — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
Platitude refers to a statement that is dull and trite, often repeated to the point of losing significance, while banal describes something that is so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
Difference Between Platitude and Banal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Platitudes are often used in attempts to comfort or motivate, offering familiar, oversimplified advice or observations that lack depth due to their overuse. Whereas banal refers to the quality of an object, idea, or expression itself, being so common and ordinary that it fails to provoke interest or thought.
Platitudes are typically specific types of statements or moral pronouncements, such as “Everything happens for a reason,” that are intended to convey wisdom or insight but fall flat due to ubiquity. On the other hand, banality can permeate any aspect of life, from language to design, indicating a level of mediocrity that fails to engage the audience or evoke a response.
While platitudes are specifically verbal or written clichés, banal elements can be found in physical objects, experiences, or artistic expressions, highlighting the broader applicability of banality compared to the more communication-focused nature of platitudes.
Platitudes, by their nature, are meant to be communicative, often used in social contexts to fill conversational voids or offer consolation, even if insincerely. Banal items or ideas, however, might not aim to communicate anything beyond their immediate, mundane function or existence.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A statement that is often repeated and lacks significance due to overuse.
Lacking in originality, making it obvious and boring.
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Context
Mainly used in speech or writing.
Can apply to objects, ideas, expressions, and experiences.
Intent
Often aims to comfort, motivate, or convey wisdom, albeit superficially.
Indicates a lack of engagement or thought provocation.
Scope of Use
Specifically verbal or written clichés.
Broad, affecting various aspects of life and creativity.
Communication
Intended to be communicative, though may not always be sincere.
May not aim to communicate anything meaningful.
Compare with Definitions
Platitude
A clichéd saying or truism.
Time heals all wounds is a common platitude.
Banal
Something obvious and unoriginal.
The movie’s plot was so banal that I predicted the ending within minutes.
Platitude
A statement with claimed wisdom but little impact.
Life is what you make it often sounds like an empty platitude.
Banal
Lacking freshness or novelty.
The dialogue in the play was criticized for being banal.
Platitude
An overused remark intended to comfort.
It’s always darkest before the dawn is a platitude that offers hope.
Banal
Pertaining to the everyday and mundane.
His diary was filled with banal details about his routine.
Platitude
A moral observation that is superficially true.
Honesty is the best policy is a platitude that oversimplifies complexity.
Banal
Common to the point of boredom.
The artist’s latest work was dismissed as banal.
Platitude
An expression used to fill conversational voids.
At the end of the day, we’re all human is a typical platitude.
Banal
Describing a lack of stimulating qualities.
The lecture was banal, causing many students to lose interest.
Platitude
A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, often used as a thought-terminating cliché, aimed at quelling social, emotional, or cognitive unease. The statement may be true, but its meaning has been lost due to its excessive use.Platitudes have been criticized as giving a false impression of wisdom, making it easy to accept falsehoods: A platitude is even worse than a cliché.
Banal
Drearily commonplace and often predictable; trite
“Blunt language cannot hide a banal conception” (James Wolcott).
Platitude
A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
She began uttering liberal platitudes
Banal
So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring
Songs with banal, repeated words
Platitude
A trite or banal remark or statement, especially one expressed as if it were original or significant.
Banal
Common in a boring way, to the point of being predictable; containing nothing new or fresh.
Platitude
Lack of originality; triteness
"a passage of platitude which no critical prejudgment can force us to admire" (Edgar Allan Poe).
Banal
Relating to a type of feudal jurisdiction or service.
Platitude
(countable) An often-quoted saying that is supposed to be meaningful but has become unoriginal or hackneyed through overuse; a cliché.
Banal
Commonplace; trivial; hackneyed; trite.
Platitude
(countable) A claim that is trivially true, to the point of being uninteresting.
Banal
Obvious and dull;
Trivial conversation
Commonplace prose
Platitude
(uncountable) Flatness; lack of change, activity, or deviation.
Banal
Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse;
Bromidic sermons
His remarks were trite and commonplace
Hackneyed phrases
A stock answer
Repeating threadbare jokes
Parroting some timeworn axiom
The trite metaphor `hard as nails'
Platitude
(uncountable) Unoriginality; triteness.
Platitude
The quality or state of being flat, thin, or insipid; flat commonness; triteness; staleness of ideas of language.
To hammer one golden grain of wit into a sheet of infinite platitude.
Platitude
A thought or remark which is flat, dull, trite, or weak; a truism; a commonplace.
Platitude
A trite or obvious remark
Common Curiosities
Is banality always negative?
While often viewed negatively in contexts demanding originality, banality can also reflect comfort in the familiar in some aspects of life.
Can banal things become interesting over time?
Yes, changes in context or perspective can transform banal objects or ideas into subjects of interest or nostalgia.
Can banal be a positive description?
Rarely, as it typically denotes a lack of originality, but it might be used positively in contexts valuing simplicity and minimalism.
Can something be both banal and a platitude?
Yes, a statement can be both if it is overused, lacks originality, and fails to provoke interest or thought.
What makes a statement a platitude?
A statement becomes a platitude when it is overused and lacks original thought, making it dull and uninspiring.
How can I avoid using platitudes?
By striving for originality in expression and providing specific, thoughtful insights instead of generalizations.
Is banality subjective?
Yes, what one person finds banal, another might find comforting or enjoyable, depending on individual tastes and experiences.
Why is banality often criticized in creative work?
Because creative work is valued for its originality, innovation, and ability to provoke thought or evoke emotion, which banality lacks.
How can I identify a platitude?
If the statement offers general, non-specific wisdom or comfort and is commonly heard, it’s likely a platitude.
Why do people use platitudes?
People use platitudes to offer comfort, fill conversational voids, or convey conventional wisdom, often with good intentions.
What’s the difference between a cliché and a platitude?
A cliché is an overused expression or idea, while a platitude is a subset of clichés specifically offering simplistic wisdom or comfort.
Can platitudes be meaningful to some people?
Yes, even if considered cliché, platitudes can resonate with individuals depending on their personal experiences and perspectives.
What type of art is considered banal?
Art that lacks originality, innovation, or depth, offering nothing new or stimulating, can be considered banal.
Do platitudes serve a purpose?
Despite their limitations, platitudes can serve social functions, such as easing conversational transitions or offering basic consolation.
Can a novel idea become banal?
Over time, novel ideas can become banal if they are overused or become widespread without variation or evolution.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.