Superfluous

Excessive; more than is needed or required

adjective

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Imagine This

There is a super flu virus spreading around the United States. It is a 'super' flu because it causes a very runny nose with extra mucus coming out. In the vegetable garden, the weeds flourish excessively more than the slow-growing vegetable seedlings.

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Sounds Like

Super_flu_US (USA)

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Looks Like

super flu

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Remember This

Prefix super- means over or above. Supererogation means doing more than is expected or required. Surmount means to overcome.

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Other Forms

superfluitynoun

superfluouslyadverb

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Connect With

excessive, unnecessary, extraneous, redundant, surplus

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Note

Common pitfalls: do not confuse with the noun 'superfluity' or the adverb 'superfluously.' Remember that superfluous describes something unnecessary or extra, not essential.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The editor removed several superfluous details from the report.
Her explanation contained many superfluous details that did not support her argument.

Synonyms

unnecessaryredundantextraneousexcessivegratuitous

Antonyms

necessaryessentialneeded

Etymology

From Latin superfluus, from super- 'over' + fluere 'to flow' (i.e., to flow over the limit).

Mnemonic

Think: super- (over) + flu- (flow) + -ous. Something that is superfluous has an over-flow, i.e., more than is needed.

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verb

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