pleonasm

1 of 2

noun

ple·​o·​nasm ˈplē-ə-ˌna-zəm 

1

: the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in the man he said) : redundancy

2

: an instance or example of pleonasm

pleonastic

ˌplē-ə-ˈna-stik 

adjective

pleonastically

ˌplē-ə-ˈna-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

pleonastic

2 of 2

adjective

ple·​o·​nas·​tic ¦plēə¦nastik 

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of pleonasm

pleonastically

-tə̇k(ə)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Pleonasm, which stems (via Late Latin) from the Greek verb pleonazein, meaning "to be excessive," is a fancy word for "redundancy." It's related to our words plus and plenty, and ultimately it goes back to the Greek word for "more," which is pleōn. Pleonasm is commonly considered a fault of style, but it can also serve a useful function. "Extra" words can sometimes be helpful to a speaker or writer in getting a message across, adding emphasis, or simply adding an appealing sound and rhythm to a phrase—as, for example, with the pleonasm "I saw it with my own eyes!"

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein to be excessive, from pleiōn, pleōn more — more at plus

Adjective

from pleonasm, after such pairs as English spasm : spastic

First Known Use

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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