ENGLISH
REFERENCE

superfluous

adj.
US //ˈsupɝfɫˌwəs// UK //suːpˈɜːfluːəs// su·per·flu·ous

adj. more than what is needed, wanted, or useful. It describes something extra and unnecessary that could be removed without a problem.

adj. exceeding what is sufficient or required; being more than is needed or necessary. Adjective, typically carries a formal or critical register.


SIMPLE

He removes superfluous words from his writing.

CONTEXTUAL

The editor's main job is to remove superfluous language and tighten the author's prose for clarity.

COMPLEX

In the minimalist design, any decorative element would have been superfluous, distracting from the pure form and function of the object itself.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English superfluous, from Latin superfluus (“superfluous”), from superfluō (“overflow”), from super (“above, more than, over”) + fluō (“flow”). Compare mellifluous and fluid, also from Latin. Literally corresponds to overflow, which is from Germanic, rather than Latin.

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