Superfluous: meaning, example and synonyms
Superfluousadj. More than is needed or wanted; unnecessary.
Example
The editor cut every superfluous clause from the essay, arguing that the argument grew stronger as the sentences grew shorter.
- Part of speech
- adjective
- Synonyms
- unnecessary, excess, redundant, extra
- Antonyms
- necessary, essential, needed, required
- Memory tip
- super ("over") + fluere ("to flow"): it overflows what is needed.
Superfluous is in batch 5. Study it with the rest of the batch, then pass the batch quiz to learn it. No account needed; progress is saved on this device.
Check yourself: Superfluous in context
The editor argued that the second introduction was ______, since the first already explained the book's purpose and scope.
Answer: superfluous. A second introduction repeating the first is unnecessary: superfluous. Salient, exemplary and earnest don't mean redundant.
Modern designers often strip away ornament they consider ______, leaving buildings with clean lines and no decorative carving.
Answer: superfluous. Designers remove what they see as unnecessary: superfluous. Material (significant) and exemplary would be reasons to keep it; earnest doesn't describe ornament.