adj
superfluous
soo-PURF-loo-uhs
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
Word Forms
more superfluous comparative, most superfluous superlative
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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".