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inane

adjective

/ɪˈneɪn/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of inane

Utterly trivial, meaningless, or lacking in significance.
"The inane conversation at the party left many guests feeling bored and eager to leave."

Detailed meaning of inane

When an idea, conversation, or action is deemed inane, it suggests a complete absence of depth, intelligence, or substance. Inane matters are often characterized by their shallowness, futility, or lack of purpose, and they typically fail to engage with important or meaningful subjects. This term is frequently used to criticize or express disdain for topics, statements, or behaviors that come across as nonsensical, pointless, or absurd. In essence, "inane" underscores the vacuity and superficiality of a particular subject or action, highlighting its overall lack of value or worth.

Example sentences containing inane

1. Her inane comments during the meeting did nothing to help the situation.
2. The movie was filled with inane humor that didn't match its serious themes.
3. I could not help but chuckle at the inane antics of the kittens.
4. He spent his time making inane remarks instead of contributing constructively to the conversation.
5. The audience was quickly bored by the inane chatter of the hosts.
6. His inane attempt to impress her only served to push her away.

History and etymology of inane

The adjective 'inane' traces its origins to the Latin word 'inanis,' which signified 'empty' or 'void.' In Latin, 'inanis' described something devoid of substance or content. Over time, as languages evolve, this concept of emptiness or vacuity extended metaphorically to describe things that were devoid of meaning, significance, or substance in a figurative sense. The transformation from 'empty' to 'meaningless' occurred as a natural linguistic shift, and in English, the term 'inane' embodies this evolution. Thus, etymologically, 'inane' conveys the idea of utter triviality, meaninglessness, or a lack of significance, echoing its modern definition.

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Further usage examples of inane

1. She found the inane gossip in the office uninteresting and superficial.
2. Despite his intelligence, he often indulged in inane pranks to amuse his friends.
3. The lyrics to the song were inane, but the melody was catchy.
4. Her patience wore thin with his inane questions and juvenile behavior.
5. The novel was filled with inane dialogue that made the characters feel unreal.
6. His inane smile did little to hide his anxiety.
7. Amidst the intellectual discussion, her inane interjections were out of place.
8. The class struggled to stay focused amidst the inane jokes from the back row.
9. She scrolled past the inane comments on the post, looking for genuine responses.
10. They made an inane bet, wagering who could stay silent the longest.
11. His inane ramblings were a stark contrast to his usual thoughtful insights.
12. The inane chatter on the radio did little to lighten the mood in the car.
13. The comedian's inane jokes were met with groans rather than laughter.
14. The inane bureaucracy of the system made progress frustratingly slow.