# inane

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪˈneɪn/ · frequency rank #41,689

## Definitions
1. Lacking sense or meaning, often to the point of boredom or annoyance.
2. Purposeless; pointless.

## Etymology
From Latin inānis (“empty, vain, useless”), of unknown origin.

## Easily confused with
- **inn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inn)
- **Iran** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-iran)
- **Ivan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-ivan)
- **inns** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inns)
- **Ince** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-ince)
- **inna** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inna)
- **inner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inner)
- **indie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-indie)
- **Irene** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-irene)
- **irate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-irate)
- **Inman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inman)
- **Ivana** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-ivana)
- **INTHE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inthe)
- **Inoue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inoue)
- **insane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-insane)
- **infant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-infant)
- **intake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-intake)
- **inland** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inland)
- **invade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-invade)
- **inmate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/inane-vs-inmate)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ianne`, `inaen`, `inanne`, `innae`, `innane`, `niane`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/inane