insipid

See also: insípid

English

WOTD – 18 July 2010

Etymology

From French insipide, from Latin īnsipidus (tasteless), from in- (not) + sapidus (savory). In some senses, perhaps influenced by insipient (unwise, foolish, stupid).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ɪnˈsɪp.ɪd/
  • (file)
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪpɪd

Adjective

insipid (comparative more insipid, superlative most insipid)

  1. Unappetizingly flavorless.
    Synonyms: tasteless, bland, vapid, wearish
    The diners were disappointed with the plain, insipid soup they were served.
  2. Flat; lacking character or definition.
    Synonyms: boring, vacuous, dull, bland, characterless, colourless
    The textbook had a most insipid presentation of the controversy.
    • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 42, in The History of Pendennis. [], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, [], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
      If the secret history of books could be written, and the author’s private thoughts and meanings noted down alongside of his story, how many insipid volumes would become interesting, and dull tales excite the reader!

Derived terms

Translations

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Further reading

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French insipide.

Adjective

insipid m or n (feminine singular insipidă, masculine plural insipizi, feminine and neuter plural insipide)

  1. insipid, tasteless

Declension

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