superfluous

Meaning

In excess of what is required or sufficient.

Synonyms

redundant

surplus

unnecessary

excessive

needless

excess

extra

spare

too much

supernumerary

extravagant

pleonastic

in excess

unwanted

supererogatory

pointless

superabundant

useless

dispensable

extraneous

otiose

purposeless

senseless

wasted

repeated

repetitious

residue

superfluity

tautologic

tautological

too many

uncalled for

unneeded

vain

very

very much

wordy

useless workers

waste

unrequired

additional

tautologous

ample

excrescent

extrinsic

fifth

5th

fruitless

futile

inordinate

insignificant

Translations

überflüssig

superflu

superfluo

overtollig

overbodig

superfluo

redondant

supervacuus

supérfluo

inutile

περιττός

unnötig

ridondante

Pronounced as (IPA)

/suːˈpɜːflu.əs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: superfluous

In summary

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.