superfluous

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
  2. adjective more than is needed, desired, or required

Etymology

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

otiose, pointless, purposeless, senseless, wasted

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