insipide

Insipide is an adjective meaning lacking flavor, taste, or vigor; something insipid is bland, dull, or uninteresting. In culinary contexts it describes foods or drinks whose flavor is weak or unremarkable. In broader use it can describe colors, performances, or ideas that fail to excite or engage.

Origin and cognates: From Latin insipidus 'tasteless', through Old French insipide into English as insipid; the modern French adjective insipide shares the same meaning and spelling for masculine and feminine forms.

Usage notes: The term is common in English; insipidness or insipidity can be used as noun form. In French, insipide is both masculine and feminine; equivalent nouns include l'insipidité. Examples: English: 'The broth was insipid'; 'The lecture was insipid and long.' French: 'Un plat insipide' ; 'son discours était insipide.'

Related terms: bland, flavourless, dull, vapid; synonyms in French: fade, sans goût; antonym: piquant, savoureux.