Word
redundant
Phoneticsre·dun·dant, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈdəndənt/
UK/ɹɪdˈʌndənt/
Definitions
01no longer needed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not needed anymore because there is already enough of something or it has been replaced.
adj. exceeding what is necessary or natural; superfluous to requirements.
“The new bridge made the old ferry service redundant.”
“The rapid advancement of automated software has rendered many traditional manual data-entry tasks redundant within the accounting department.”
Synonyms
02losing a job
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English
adj. losing your job because your employer no longer needs anyone to do that work.
adj. dismissed from employment because the role is no longer required by the employer.
“He was made redundant after the factory closed down.”
“Following the merger, the company announced that two hundred staff members would be made redundant to reduce operating costs.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'to be made redundant'.
Pitfall
He was redundant from his job.
He was made redundant.
In British English, 'redundant' is usually used with the verb 'make' in the passive voice.
Teaching tip
This is the standard term in the UK and Australia for being laid off; Americans usually say 'laid off' instead.
Synonyms
03repetitive writing
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. using more words than you need to explain something.
adj. characterised by unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas; pleonastic.
Español:redundante
“The phrase 'tasty and delicious' is redundant because the words mean the same thing.”
“The editor suggested removing the final paragraph, arguing that the points made were redundant and added little to the overall thesis.”
Synonyms
04safety backup
C1 · Advanced Technology Technical
adj. having a second part ready to work if the first part fails.
adj. relating to a component or system that acts as a backup to ensure continued operation in the event of a failure.
“The aircraft has redundant power systems to keep it flying if one engine fails.”
“To prevent data loss, the server architecture includes redundant hard drives that mirror information in real time.”
Usage
Often used in engineering and computing contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Trent College then informed Randall it wanted to reduce the chaplaincy role to seven hours, term-time only, which he did not accept and was therefore made redundant.” “Cian Halliday, 26, a carpenter from Llanrug, had been made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic, something he said had been "difficult, and a struggle".” Etymology
From Latin redundāns, present participle of redundō (“to overflow, redound”), from red- (“again, back”) + undō (“to surge, flood”), from unda (“a wave”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/redundant
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0