hackneyed Meaning & Definition
What Does Hackneyed Mean?
Hackneyed is an adjective that means lacking in freshness or originality. As a verb, it means to make common or frequent use of.
Word Facts for Hackneyed
| Part of speech | adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈhak-nēd/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | banal, trite and stock |
| Antonyms | fresh, new and novel |
| Comparative / superlative | more hackneyed, most hackneyed |
Hackneyed Definition (Adjective)
- lacking in freshness or originality
hackneyed slogans
Hackneyed as a Verb
- to make common or frequent use of
- to make trite, vulgar, or commonplace
- to make sophisticated or jaded
Synonyms of Hackneyed
Antonyms of Hackneyed
Hackneyed in a Sentence
The sermon was full of hackneyed phrases and platitudes.
hackneyed slogans
it's hackneyed, but true—the more you save the more you earn
advertisers have hackneyed the word revolutionary so much that it now just means that a product is new
Word Forms & Grammar
hackneyed
hack·neyed
hack·ney·ing
hackney
hackneying
hackneys
hackneyed (comparative more hackneyed, superlative most hackneyed)
Words That Rhyme With Hackneyed
Origin of Hackneyed
Origin 1: from past participle of hackney:3
Origin 2: derivative of hackney:1
Origin 3: From hackney + -ed. Most likely from the fact that hackney carriages have been used so much, that they were once extremely commonplace.
First Known Use
1735
15th century
Pronouncing Hackneyed
The standard pronunciation of hackneyed is /ˈhak-nēd/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (hak).
Questions People Ask About Hackneyed
Is hackneyed an adjective or a verb?
Hackneyed is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for hackneyed?
Words with a similar meaning to hackneyed include banal, trite and stock. See the full list of hackneyed synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of hackneyed?
The opposite of hackneyed can be expressed with words like fresh, new, novel and original.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of hackneyed?
The comparative form is more hackneyed and the superlative form is most hackneyed.