What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
corny
Example
The movie's plot was so corny, it was hard to take seriously. [corny: adjective]
Example
He told a corny joke that nobody laughed at. [corny: adjective]
hackneyed
Example
The writer used hackneyed phrases throughout the article, making it uninteresting to read. [hackneyed: adjective]
Example
The speech was filled with hackneyed expressions that failed to inspire the audience. [hackneyed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hackneyed is less common than corny in everyday language, but both words are used in writing and criticism to describe unoriginal or clichéd ideas.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between corny and hackneyed?
Hackneyed is more formal than corny and is often used in academic or literary contexts to describe writing or language that lacks originality or impact. Corny, on the other hand, is more informal and can be used in everyday conversation to describe something that is old-fashioned or cheesy.
