pleonasm Hear it!

pleonasm Definition

pleo·nasm (plē′ə naz′əm)

noun

  1. the use of more words than are necessary for the expression of an idea; redundancy (Ex.: “plenty enough”)
  2. an instance of this
  3. a redundant word or expression

Etymology: LL pleonasmus < Gr pleonasmos < pleonazein, to be in excess < pleon, neut. of pleōn, more, compar. of polys, much: see poly-

pleonasm Related Forms
ple′o·nas′·tic adjective ple′o·nas′·ti·cally adverb
pleonasm Synonyms

pleonasm

n.

redundancy, verbiage, circumlocution; see repetition, wordiness.

pleonasm Quotes

A fashion for the young? That is a pleonasm: there is no fashion for the old.

—Chanel, Gabrielle known as  Coco