Something that is superfluous is unnecessary or is no longer needed.
My presence at the afternoon's proceedings was superfluous.
I rid myself of many superfluous belongings and habits that bothered me.
Synonyms: excess, surplus, redundant, remaining More Synonyms of superfluous
superfluous in British English
(suːˈpɜːflʊəs)
adjective
1.
exceeding what is sufficient or required
2.
not necessary or relevant; uncalled-for
3. obsolete
extravagant in expenditure or oversupplied with possessions
Derived forms
superfluously (suˈperfluously)
adverb
superfluousness (suˈperfluousness)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin superfluus overflowing, from super- + fluere to flow
superfluous in American English
(səˈpɜrfluəs; suˈpɜrfluəs)
adjective
1.
being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive
2.
not needed; unnecessary; irrelevant
a superfluous remark
3. Obsolete
extravagant; prodigal
Derived forms
superfluously (suˈperfluously)
adverb
superfluousness (suˈperfluousness)
noun
Word origin
L superfluus < superfluere, to overflow: see super- & fluctuate
Examples of 'superfluous' in a sentence
superfluous
To recount in detail their last night almost would be superfluous.
Eaton, John P & Haas, Charles A Titanic - Destination disaster (1987)
The drama of the race was almost superfluous.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Of course we are all against unnecessary regulation and superfluous quangos.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thousands of hours of collective practice have rendered this skill superfluous.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But if senior managers can use such a system it could render middle managers superfluous.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If all we need are social agencies or schools, church becomes superfluous.
Christianity Today (2000)
Because at that point, for anyone with more than a passing interest in sport, the sales patter becomes superfluous.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It includes too many superfluous, unnecessary and mundane issues, some of which are on restricted sale to the public only in strips or miniature sheets.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
superfluous
British English: superfluous ADJECTIVE
Something that is superfluous is unnecessary or is no longer needed.
My presence at the afternoon's proceedings was superfluous.
American English: superfluous
Brazilian Portuguese: supérfluo
Chinese: 多余的
European Spanish: superfluo
French: superflu
German: überflüssig
Italian: superfluo
Japanese: 不必要な
Korean: > 필요치 않은더 이상
European Portuguese: supérfluo
Latin American Spanish: superfluo
(adjective)
Definition
more than is sufficient or required
My presence at the afternoon's proceedings was superflous.
Synonyms
excess
After cooking the fish, pour off any excess fat.
surplus
Few people have large sums of surplus cash.
redundant
the conversion of redundant buildings to residential use
remaining
extra
This exercise will help you burn up any extra calories.
spare
They don't have a lot of spare cash.
excessive
unnecessary
The slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman.
in excess
needless
Our families thought I was taking a needless risk.
left over
on your hands
surplus to requirements
uncalled-for
Leo's uncalled-for remarks about her cousin
unneeded
residuary
supernumerary
superabundant
pleonastic (rhetoric)
unrequired
supererogatory
Opposites
necessary
,
essential
,
vital
,
wanted
,
needed
,
called for
,
imperative
,
indispensable
,
requisite
Additional synonyms
in the sense of extra
Definition
more than is usual, expected or needed
This exercise will help you burn up any extra calories.
Synonyms
surplus,
excess,
reserve,
spare,
unnecessary,
redundant,
needless,
unused,
leftover,
superfluous,
extraneous,
unneeded,
inessential,
supernumerary,
supererogatory,
x
in the sense of needless
Definition
not required
Our families thought I was taking a needless risk.
Synonyms
unnecessary,
excessive,
pointless,
gratuitous,
useless,
unwanted,
redundant,
superfluous,
groundless,
expendable,
uncalled-for,
dispensable,
nonessential,
undesired,
causeless
in the sense of redundant
Definition
surplus to requirements
the conversion of redundant buildings to residential use
Synonyms
superfluous,
extra,
surplus,
excessive,
unnecessary,
unwanted,
inordinate,
inessential,
supernumerary,
de trop,
supererogatory
Nearby words of
superfluous
superficiality
superficially
superfluity
superfluous
superhuman
superintend
superintendence
Synonyms of 'superfluous'
superfluous
Explore 'superfluous' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of spare
Definition
extra to what is needed
They don't have a lot of spare cash.
Synonyms
extra,
surplus,
leftover,
over,
free,
odd,
unwanted,
in excess,
unused,
superfluous,
going begging,
supernumerary
in the sense of supernumerary
Definition
exceeding the required or regular number
Synonyms
extra,
odd,
spare,
excess,
surplus,
excessive,
redundant,
in excess,
superfluous,
unrequired
in the sense of surplus
Definition
being in excess
Few people have large sums of surplus cash.
Synonyms
extra,
spare,
excess,
remaining,
odd,
in excess,
left over,
unused,
superfluous
in the sense of uncalled-for
Definition
unnecessary or unwarranted
Leo's uncalled-for remarks about her cousin
Synonyms
unnecessary,
unjustified,
unwarranted,
inappropriate,
needless,
unwelcome,
unjust,
gratuitous,
unprovoked,
undeserved
in the sense of unnecessary
Definition
not essential, or more than is essential
The slaughter of whales is unnecessary and inhuman.