Question

Vapid (adjective)

Accepted Answer

Completely lacking in zest, spirit, animation, and liveliness.

Vapid comes from the Latin vapidus, meaning “that has exhaled its vapor.” Vapid was originally used in English in a literal sense to describe stale beverages that had lost their flavor, or vapor.

If you want to emphasize dullness due to a lack of taste or interest, insipid might be the right choice. If, however, you want to emphasize dullness due to lack of zest, spirit, and life, vapid might work better.

For example, a meal can be insipid but not vapid. A conversation can be either, depending on what aspect of its supreme dullness you want to call attention to.

Vapid Dullness Zest Spirit Emphasize Due Lack Insipid