Meaning & use
inane
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Meanings
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Lacking meaning or sense, and so pointless and silly.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: an inane remark, the question was inane.
Patterns
- an inane remark
- inane chatter
He kept making inane comments during the meeting.
The talk show was full of inane chatter.
She rolled her eyes at the inane question.
adjectivecomparabledisapproving
Empty-headed or foolish in a way that shows little thought.
Grammar: Often used about smiles, grins or behavior.
Patterns
- an inane grin
- an inane smile
He wore an inane grin throughout the speech.
The inane humor of the film wore thin.
Their inane argument went on for an hour.
Word forms
| comparative | inaner |
|---|---|
| superlative | inanest |
Common combinations
- inane remark
- His inane remark made everyone groan.
- inane conversation
- We sat through an inane conversation about the weather.
- inane grin
- An inane grin spread across his face.
- inane questions
- Reporters asked inane questions.
- utterly inane
- The advert was utterly inane.
Synonyms and how they differ
- silly
- Silly can be affectionate or playful, while inane is dismissive and says something is empty.
- pointless
- Pointless says there is no purpose, while inane adds that it is foolish or lacks substance.
- asinine
- Asinine is harsher and means stupid in a stubborn way.
- vacuous
- Vacuous suggests complete emptiness of thought or expression.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: inane or inanimate?
inane vs inanimate
Inanimate means not alive. It looks similar to inane but means lifeless, not silly.
Practice
The comedian's ______ jokes left the audience bored and annoyed.
Choose one answer.
Inane describes silly, pointless jokes. Insane means mad, innate means inborn and inert means inactive, so none fits.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “inane”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.