superfluous Hear it!

superfluous Definition

su·per·flu·ous (sə pʉrflo̵̅o̅ əs, so̵̅o̅-)

adjective

  1. being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive
  2. not needed; unnecessary; irrelevant a superfluous remark
  3. Obsolete extravagant; prodigal

Etymology: L superfluus < superfluere, to overflow: see super- & fluctuate

superfluous Related Forms

su·per·flu·ously adverb su·per·flu·ous·ness noun

superfluous Synonyms

superfluous

modif.

superfluous Usage Examples

Infinitive complement

mention: It seems superfluous to mention it, but don't go swimming if you've been drinking alcohol.

Modifying Another Word

  • somewhat: There's also a part about the weapons of the Waffen-SS which feels somewhat superfluous.
  • largely: One less concerned with the sell would have dispensed with a largely superfluous chapter on Easter 1916.
  • almost: To the dozen medics around the table, the point that the doctor was making seemed almost superfluous.
  • completely: So coupled with the word technology it is completely superfluous; rather like saying experiment and science or numbers and maths.
  • rather: The second warning is, however, rather superfluous in my view.
  • totally: These totally superfluous police horsemen were never in the processions in earlier years.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • render: The existence of the human data, however, renders the animal data superfluous.
  • make: The point here is that the Spirit does not make study superfluous.

Modifies a noun

  • breath: Notes: ' What cracker is this name, that deafs our ears / With this abundance of superfluous breath?
  • word: The Times ' subs obviously missed the three superfluous words in there.
  • injury: Second, it is prohibited to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering.
  • element: Your own kernel lacks superfluous elements and is therefore faster and more stable.
  • information: Do not answer a question that was not asked or provide superfluous information.
  • detail: Most CVs start with these but take care to avoid superfluous details, such as religious affiliation, children's names and so on.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Note: my exit 0 may seem superfluous here.
  • render: They feel they cannot cope and they feel rendered superfluous.
  • deem: It works by eliminating information from the file that the program deems superfluous.
  • become: Once the glue is cured, the caustic soda becomes superfluous.
  • feel: There's also a part about the weapons of the Waffen-SS which feels somewhat superfluous.