Banally

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a manner characterized by a lack of imaginative thought and uniqueness
2. Performed or expressed without originality or creativity, resulting in predictability and dullness
3. Done or said in a way that shows no new ideas and follows common patterns or clichés

Etymology: "Banally" is simply "banal" plus the suffix "-ly," which turns an adjective into an adverb meaning "in a banal manner." The suffix has a long pedigree: it descends from an Old English form "-līce," which itself came from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "body" or "form," related to the word "like." The idea was that something done "in the form of" a certain quality was done in that manner, so "-ly" carries the sense of "like" or "in the way of." The adjective "banal" is the more interesting half of the pair. It was borrowed into English from French, where "banal" meant something available to all members of a feudal community, such as a mill or oven that tenants were required to use. Only later did it shift toward its current sense of commonplace and lacking originality, a change that came from the idea of things so common and shared that they became unremarkable.

Synonyms: trivially, clichéd, mundanely

Antonyms: originally, uniquely