insipid

/ɪnˈsɪpɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsɪpɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsi-pəd/ (ame, mw)

insipid — adjective

  • insipidpositive
  • more insipidcomparative
  • most insipidsuperlative

1. so lacking in interesting or exciting qualities that you quickly lose attention

1.形容詞C1
釋義

so lacking in interesting or exciting qualities that you quickly lose attention or feel disappointed — used especially of creative works, conversation, or performances that should have been more engaging

例句

Lucia found the lecture insipid and struggled to stay awake.

find + noun + adjective complement

The film received poor reviews for its insipid dialogue and predictable plot.

同義詞
  • dull

    more common, everyday word; less strongly negative than insipid

  • bland

    suggests a neutral, characterless quality without strong disapproval

  • vapid

    stronger than insipid; implies a complete absence of intelligence or substance

反義詞
  • interesting

    the most direct opposite; captures what insipid lacks

  • lively

    opposite in energy and engagement

文法句型

be + insipid

find + noun + insipid

describe + noun + as + insipid

用法筆記

Stronger than 'dull' — insipid implies a disappointing lack of character, as if something should have been more interesting or substantial. Frequently used in formal or written reviews of books, films, speeches, or social interactions.

常見錯誤

❌I felt insipid after watching the movie.
✅The movie was insipid.
💡'insipid' describes the thing itself, not how it made you feel.
❌The conversation was insipid and exciting.
✅The conversation was insipid and boring.
💡'insipid' is negative; pairing it with a positive word creates a contradiction.

2. having very little or no flavour, making food or drink seem plain and disappoint

2.形容詞B2
釋義

having very little or no flavour, making food or drink seem plain and disappointing

例句

Eva complained that the soup was insipid and needed more salt.

complain that + clause describing lack of flavour

The chicken was dry and insipid, with no seasoning at all.

同義詞
  • bland

    more common and less negative; can describe mildly flavoured food

  • tasteless

    more direct and blunter; suggests a stronger lack of flavour

  • flavourless

    neutral and matter-of-fact; less emotional than insipid

反義詞

文法句型

be + insipid

find + noun + insipid

用法筆記

Less common in everyday speech than 'bland' or 'tasteless'. Often conveys mild disappointment — the food should have had more flavour. Typically used for cooked dishes (soup, sauce, rice) rather than for inherently plain things like water.

常見錯誤

❌The soup was insipid and salty.
✅The soup was insipid, so I added salt.
💡'insipid' means lacking flavour; pairing it with 'salty' is contradictory.
❌This water tastes insipid.
✅This soup tastes insipid.
💡'insipid' is not used for things that naturally have no taste, like plain water.