Definition of insipid

The word "insipid" originated from the Latin adjective "insipidus," which literally translates to "without taste." During the medieval period, Latin became a respected language among the educated classes in Europe. Scholars and intellectuals sought to enrich their vocabulary by adopting Latin words and phrases, turning them into their native tongues. The French took to this practice, and as a result, many Latin words found their way into the French lexicon. "Insipidus" was one such instance, and it entered French as "insipide." In the 14th century, English started to borrow heavily from French, and so it was that "insipid" made its way into the English language. The word's meaning has remained largely unchanged since its Latin origin, "insipid" referring to something without flavour, or lacking in taste. Today, the word is still used to describe anything that is lacking in character, essence, or interest, with a faintly derogatory flavour to it- much in line with its original meaning.