What does banality mean?
Banality refers to the quality of being unoriginal, obvious, or dull — the state of offering nothing new or interesting. As a noun, it describes both this quality in general and specific instances of it: a trite remark or a hackneyed plot twist can each be called a banality. Derived from the adjective 'banal', the word carries strongly negative connotations and is used most often in criticism of art, writing, conversation, and modern culture. Its plural form, banalities, frequently appears when cataloguing tired clichés or empty pleasantries. The word gained enduring fame through philosopher Hannah Arendt's phrase 'the banality of evil' (1963), which suggested that terrible acts can be committed not by monsters but by thoughtless, ordinary functionaries. For writers and critics, banality is a precise term for naming what is merely conventional when originality is expected.
The quality of being banal; lack of originality or freshness.
"The film's banality disappointed critics who had hoped for bold filmmaking."
A banal statement, idea, or situation; something unoriginal or trite.
"His speech was full of empty banalities."
Usually appears in the plural as 'banalities' when referring to individual trite remarks.
Used when referring to multiple individual instances of banal remarks, ideas, or expressions rather than the abstract quality.
"The conversation consisted mostly of polite banalities about the weather."
Hannah Arendt turned this humble word into one of philosophy's most chilling phrases: 'the banality of evil' — the idea that great atrocities can be carried out by ordinary people thinking unremarkable thoughts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of banality
Banality derives from the French word 'banalité', which referred to goods or services (such as an oven or mill) that feudal tenants were obliged to use and pay for under a lord's monopoly — from the Old French 'ban', meaning a jurisdictional summons or command. In English, the adjective 'banal' came to mean commonplace or lacking originality, and 'banality' followed as its abstract noun. Related words sharing this root include the adjective 'banal' and the verb 'banalize'.
Related word forms
How banality is actually used
Mostly used in formal, critical, or literary contexts. The plural 'banalities' is common when referring to instances of trite remarks. The phrase 'the banality of evil', coined by Hannah Arendt in her 1963 report on Adolf Eichmann, is by far its most famous usage and has given the word lasting intellectual weight.
Easily confused with banality
'Banal' is the adjective describing something unoriginal, while 'banality' is the noun denoting that quality itself or a specific instance of it.