superfluous

adjective

su·per·flu·ous su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs How to pronounce superfluous (audio)

: exceeding what is sufficient or necessary : extra

: not needed : unnecessary

obsolete : marked by wastefulness : extravagant

superfluously adverb

superfluousness noun

Did you know?

If you think that superfluous must mean "extra 'fluous,'" along the pattern of such words as superabsorbent and superabundant, you're not far off. Superfluous comes from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning literally "running over" or "overflowing." Superfluus, in turn, derives from the combination of the prefix super- (meaning "over" or "more") and fluere, "to flow." (Fluere also gave us fluid, fluent, and influence, among others.) Since its first appearance in English in the 15th century, superfluous has referred to an "overflowing" of some supply, as of time or words, which hearkens back to its Latin origins.

Example Sentences

In the Imagist model, the writer is a sculptor. Technique consists of chipping away everything superfluous in order to reveal the essential form within. "It took you ninety-seven words to do it," Pound is reported to have remarked to a young literary aspirant who had handed him a new poem. "I find it could have been managed in fifty-six."

Louis Menand, New Yorker, 9 & 16 June 2008 Oddly, despite the preponderance of superfluous words, the book has no glossary, which is a must for an introductory audience.

Dorothy Merritts, Eos, 3 Oct. 2000 Twenty years ago, baby boomers were written about as if every one of them had as a life goal making enough money to accumulate the same superfluous material objects that everyone else had.

Calvin Trillin, Time, 6 Sept. 1999 cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer

Recent Examples on the Web To its detractors, that same top sheet is a superfluous distraction that is a pain to arrange in the morning and annoyingly bunches around one’s feet at night.

Rory Satran, WSJ, 13 Aug. 2022 Eliminate spending on superfluous costs, monitor inventory and reduce/remove billing errors and billing delays that lead to lagging cash receipts.

Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 July 2022 The aforementioned digital display replaces the analog gauges, and the superfluous analog clock is gone from the top-center of the dash.

Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 3 June 2022 There are no superfluous ingredients, fillers, or fluff in any of them.

The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 June 2022 The blendable, buildable tint imparts just the right amount of fresh-faced color and luminosity without superfluous shimmer.

The Editors, Town & Country, 31 May 2022 The changeup has largely been a superfluous weapon for the three-time Cy Young Award winner.

Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022 Free of pockets and venting, which the pair consider superfluous, the shirt does have a wide cuff, tonal buttons and a structured — but not stiff — collar.

New York Times, 17 Mar. 2022 But Judge Lisa Lench ruled on Wednesday that her testimony would closely parallel the allegations of three other accusers, and would therefore be superfluous.

Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Aug. 2022 See More

单词	superfluous
释义	superfluous adjective su·per·flu·ous su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs 1 a : exceeding what is sufficient or necessary : extra b : not needed : unnecessary 2 obsolete : marked by wastefulness : extravagant superfluously adverb superfluousness noun Did you know? If you think that superfluous must mean "extra 'fluous,'" along the pattern of such words as superabsorbent and superabundant, you're not far off. Superfluous comes from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning literally "running over" or "overflowing." Superfluus, in turn, derives from the combination of the prefix super- (meaning "over" or "more") and fluere, "to flow." (Fluere also gave us fluid, fluent, and influence, among others.) Since its first appearance in English in the 15th century, superfluous has referred to an "overflowing" of some supply, as of time or words, which hearkens back to its Latin origins. Synonyms excess extra redundant spare supererogatory supernumerary surplus See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences In the Imagist model, the writer is a sculptor. Technique consists of chipping away everything superfluous in order to reveal the essential form within. "It took you ninety-seven words to do it," Pound is reported to have remarked to a young literary aspirant who had handed him a new poem. "I find it could have been managed in fifty-six." Louis Menand, New Yorker, 9 & 16 June 2008 Oddly, despite the preponderance of superfluous words, the book has no glossary, which is a must for an introductory audience. Dorothy Merritts, Eos, 3 Oct. 2000 Twenty years ago, baby boomers were written about as if every one of them had as a life goal making enough money to accumulate the same superfluous material objects that everyone else had. Calvin Trillin, Time, 6 Sept. 1999 cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer Recent Examples on the Web To its detractors, that same top sheet is a superfluous distraction that is a pain to arrange in the morning and annoyingly bunches around one’s feet at night. Rory Satran, WSJ, 13 Aug. 2022 Eliminate spending on superfluous costs, monitor inventory and reduce/remove billing errors and billing delays that lead to lagging cash receipts. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 July 2022 The aforementioned digital display replaces the analog gauges, and the superfluous analog clock is gone from the top-center of the dash. Mark Takahashi, Car and Driver, 3 June 2022 There are no superfluous ingredients, fillers, or fluff in any of them. The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 June 2022 The blendable, buildable tint imparts just the right amount of fresh-faced color and luminosity without superfluous shimmer. The Editors, Town & Country, 31 May 2022 The changeup has largely been a superfluous weapon for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022 Free of pockets and venting, which the pair consider superfluous, the shirt does have a wide cuff, tonal buttons and a structured — but not stiff — collar. New York Times, 17 Mar. 2022 But Judge Lisa Lench ruled on Wednesday that her testimony would closely parallel the allegations of three other accusers, and would therefore be superfluous. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English, from Latin superfluus, literally, running over, from superfluere to overflow, from super- + fluere to flow — more at fluid First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Kids Definition superfluous adjective su·per·flu·ous su̇-ˈpər-flə-wəs : going beyond what is enough or necessary : extra Her story was filled with superfluous details. superfluous adjective as in extra being over what is needed cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance extra surplus excess unnecessary redundant unwanted spare additional supererogatory supernumerary unneeded extraneous unessential supplementary dispensable needless accessory nonessential ample supplemental gratuitous plentiful copious abundant bountiful plenteous uncalled-for de trop Antonyms & Near Antonyms inadequate insufficient scarce deficient short sparse meager poor scanty scant skimpy meagre niggardly shortish See More
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superfluous

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective