redundant
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
not needed anymore because there is already enough of something or it has been replaced.
exceeding what is necessary or natural; superfluous to requirements.
Simple“The new bridge made the old ferry service redundant.”
In context“The rapid advancement of automated software has rendered many traditional manual data-entry tasks redundant within the accounting department.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
losing your job because your employer no longer needs anyone to do that work.
dismissed from employment because the role is no longer required by the employer.
Simple“He was made redundant after the factory closed down.”
In context“Following the merger, the company announced that two hundred staff members would be made redundant to reduce operating costs.”
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'to be made redundant'.
Teacher's tipThis is the standard term in the UK and Australia for being laid off; Americans usually say 'laid off' instead.
PitfallHe was redundant from his job. He was made redundant.In British English, 'redundant' is usually used with the verb 'make' in the passive voice.
Synonymslaid offunemployed - 03 C1 Advanced
using more words than you need to explain something.
characterised by unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas; pleonastic.
Simple“The phrase 'tasty and delicious' is redundant because the words mean the same thing.”
In context“The editor suggested removing the final paragraph, arguing that the points made were redundant and added little to the overall thesis.”
Synonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
having a second part ready to work if the first part fails.
relating to a component or system that acts as a backup to ensure continued operation in the event of a failure.
Simple“The aircraft has redundant power systems to keep it flying if one engine fails.”
In context“To prevent data loss, the server architecture includes redundant hard drives that mirror information in real time.”
UsageOften used in engineering and computing contexts.
“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".”
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.