superfluous
soo-PURF-loo-uhs
Superfluous (adj) means More than is needed; unnecessary or excess. Example: “He crossed out the superfluous details to tighten the essay.”
adj
1
More than is needed; unnecessary or excess.
"He crossed out the superfluous details to tighten the essay."
"Once the deal closed, the extra paperwork felt superfluous."
How to use superfluous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtra to the point of being unnecessary.
Memory tip
Think of it as things "overflowing" past what is actually required.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
superfluous detail
superfluous words
render something superfluous
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more superfluous
- Superlative
- most superfluous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He crossed out the _____ details to tighten the essay.
Etymology
From Latin superfluus, "overflowing", from super ("over, above") + fluere ("to flow") — the same root as "fluid" and "mellifluous".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for superfluous
See all rhymes for superfluous →Frequently asked questions
What does “superfluous” mean?
The word “superfluous” means more than is needed; unnecessary or excess. In plain terms, extra to the point of being unnecessary.
How do you pronounce “superfluous”?
“Superfluous” is pronounced soo-PURF-loo-uhs (/suˈpɝflu.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “superfluous” in a sentence?
Here is “superfluous” used in a sentence: “He crossed out the superfluous details to tighten the essay.”
What part of speech is “superfluous”?
“Superfluous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “superfluous” come from?
The word “superfluous” comes from Latin. From Latin superfluus, "overflowing", from super ("over, above") + fluere ("to flow") — the same root as "fluid" and "mellifluous".
Is “superfluous” a common word?
“Superfluous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
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