Which word describes something that is overused and lacks originality?

Which word describes something that is overused and lacks originality?

• A. Novel
• B. Original
• C. Hackneyed
• D. Fresh

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is distinguishing words that describe something new or inventive from those that describe repetition and lack of originality. Hackneyed specifically captures the sense of something being overused to the point of feeling stale or cliché. It signals not just that something is old, but that it has been repeated so often that it no longer feels fresh or imaginative. In contrast, novel means new or unusual and often implies originality in a positive way. Original also points to uniqueness or independence, not copied from others. Fresh can describe something new or recently created, but it doesn’t inherently carry the negative sense of being repetitive or overused. So hackneyed is the best fit because it directly conveys overuse and a lack of originality.

The main idea here is distinguishing words that describe something new or inventive from those that describe repetition and lack of originality. Hackneyed specifically captures the sense of something being overused to the point of feeling stale or cliché. It signals not just that something is old, but that it has been repeated so often that it no longer feels fresh or imaginative.

In contrast, novel means new or unusual and often implies originality in a positive way. Original also points to uniqueness or independence, not copied from others. Fresh can describe something new or recently created, but it doesn’t inherently carry the negative sense of being repetitive or overused. So hackneyed is the best fit because it directly conveys overuse and a lack of originality.