counterword

[ koun-ter-wurd ]
/ ˈkaʊn tərˌwɜrd /

noun

a word, often of short-lived popularity, widely used as an almost meaningless, automatic response.
a word that has come to be used with a meaning much less specific than that which it had originally, as swell, awful, or terrific.

Origin of counterword

First recorded in 1670–80; counter1 + word

Words nearby counterword

countervail, countervailing duty, counterview, counterweigh, counterweight, counterword, counterwork, countess, counting chamber, counting house, counting number

Words related to counter word

blend, compound, portmanteau, adage, banality, bromide, buzzword, commonplace, motto, platitude, proverb, saying, shibboleth, slogan, stereotype, truism, triviality, chestnut, corn, potboiler

British Dictionary definitions for counter word

counterword
/ (ˈkaʊntəˌwɜːd) /

noun

a word widely used in a sense much looser than its original meaning, such as tremendous or awful