superfluous

adjective su·per·flu·ous \su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs\

: beyond what is needed : not necessary

Full Definition of SUPERFLUOUS

a : exceeding what is sufficient or necessary : extra

b : not needed : unnecessary

obsolete : marked by wastefulness : extravagant

— su·per·flu·ous·ly adverb

— su·per·flu·ous·ness noun

See superfluous defined for English-language learners

See superfluous defined for kids

Examples of SUPERFLUOUS

In the Imagist model, the writer is a sculptor. Technique consists of chipping away everything superfluous in order to reveal the essential form within. “It took you ninety-seven words to do it,” Pound is reported to have remarked to a young literary aspirant who had handed him a new poem. “I find it could have been managed in fifty-six.” —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 9 & 16 June 2008
Oddly, despite the preponderance of superfluous words, the book has no glossary, which is a must for an introductory audience. —Dorothy Merritts, Eos, 3 Oct. 2000
Twenty years ago, baby boomers were written about as if every one of them had as a life goal making enough money to accumulate the same superfluous material objects that everyone else had. —Calvin Trillin, Time, 6 Sept. 1999
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Origin of SUPERFLUOUS

Middle English, from Latin superfluus, literally, running over, from superfluere to overflow, from super- + fluere to flow — more at fluid

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SUPERFLUOUS

Synonyms: excess, extra, redundant, supererogatory, spare, supernumerary, surplus

SUPERFLUOUSLY Defined for Kids

superfluous

adjective su·per·flu·ous \su̇-ˈpər-flə-wəs\

Definition of SUPERFLUOUS for Kids

: going beyond what is enough or necessary : extra <Her story was filled with superfluous details.>

Word Root of SUPERFLUOUS

The Latin word fluere, meaning “to flow,” gives us the root flu. Words from the Latin fluere have something to do with flowing. A fluid is a substance that flows and is usually a liquid. When someone is fluent in a language the words flow out of her or him. Anything superfluous, or extra, has flowed forth beyond what is necessary.