What does "redundant" mean?

1. (no longer needed) not needed anymore because there is already enough of something or it has been replaced. 2. (losing a job) losing your job because your employer no longer needs anyone to do that work. 3. (repetitive writing) using more words than you need to explain something. 4. (safety backup) having a second part ready to work if the first part fails.

How do you use "redundant"?

Commonly used in the phrase 'to be made redundant'. Often used in engineering and computing contexts.

Is it correct to say "He was redundant from his job."?

No — say "He was made redundant.". In British English, 'redundant' is usually used with the verb 'make' in the passive voice.

redundant

adj.

US //ɹɪˈdəndənt// UK //ɹɪdˈʌndənt// re·dun·dant

1 no longer needed (adj.)
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.

Example

The new bridge made the old ferry service redundant.

Example

The rapid advancement of automated software has rendered many traditional manual data-entry tasks redundant within the accounting department.
- essential
- necessary
2 losing a job (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English

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.

Example

He was made redundant after the factory closed down.

Example

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'.

Teacher's tip

This is the standard term in the UK and Australia for being laid off; Americans usually say 'laid off' instead.
- laid off
- unemployed
- employed
- hired
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.

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3 repetitive writing (adj.)
C1 Advanced Academic

using more words than you need to explain something.

characterised by unnecessary repetition in expressing ideas; pleonastic.

Example

The phrase 'tasty and delicious' is redundant because the words mean the same thing.

Example

The editor suggested removing the final paragraph, arguing that the points made were redundant and added little to the overall thesis.
- repetitive
- wordy
- verbose
- concise
- succinct
4 safety backup (adj.)
C1 Advanced Technical Technical

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.

Example

The aircraft has redundant power systems to keep it flying if one engine fails.

Example

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.
- backup
- spare

Origin

From Latin redundāns, present participle of redundō (“to overflow, redound”), from red- (“again, back”) + undō (“to surge, flood”), from unda (“a wave”).