Meaning & use
cliché
A phrase or idea that has been used so often it has lost its original impact or meaning.
See it in a sentence
'Follow your heart' has become such a cliché that it rarely inspires anyone anymore.
The critic complained that the film relied on tired clichés instead of original dialogue.
A note on using this word
Cliché can describe both worn-out phrases and overused plot devices or situations in writing and film.
Words with a similar meaning
platitudestock phrase
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
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