If you asked a hundred people for the definition of ‘trite’, I predict a large percentage would say it means ‘silly’, ‘superficial’, ‘inconsequential’, ‘trivial’ or something similar.
But that's not what it means.
Something ‘trite’ might also be described using one or more of those words, but it would be a coincidence. None of the words is a synonym of ‘trite’.
What does ‘trite’ mean?
The word comes from the Latin tritus, part of the verb terere, which means ‘to rub or grind’ or ‘to wear out’.
Used as an adjective, it once described objects that were worn out or frayed after being used, or cleaned by rubbing them on rough stones. The modern equivalents are ‘well-worn’ or ‘stone-washed’, to describe denim.
In modern English, ‘trite’ describes words, expressions and responses that are tired and worn out from overuse.
His responses were predictable and trite (unoriginal, stale and boring)
The words of the song were rather trite (yawn... we’ve heard it all so many times before).
They might also be silly or superficial, but that's an additional drawback.
A cliché is an expression that is completely trite – so overused and familiar it has lost any power it once had.
On the subject of clichés
You might have heard people say:
That is so cliché.
Sorry! That’s wrong.
'Cliché' is a noun:
That is such a cliché.
Every single thing she said was a cliché.
The adjective form is 'clichéd':
That’s so clichéd.
It was such a clichéd expression.
Words related to 'trite'
Attrition (n) - wearing down or weakening (reducing strength or numbers)
Contrite (adj) – repentant; presumably worn down and crushed by the knowledge of one’s wrongdoing
Detritus (n) – rubble or gravel produced by the wearing down of rocks
Tritor (n) – the grinding surface on a tooth.
In Canada we say cleesh, eh...
Thankfully, I never used this words when talking or writing because if I did, I would have misused both. Now, I won't.