superfluity

noun

su·​per·​flu·​i·​ty ˌsü-pər-ˈflü-ə-tē 

plural superfluities

1

a

: excess, oversupply

b

: something unnecessary or superfluous

2

: immoderate and especially luxurious living, habits, or desires

Synonyms

• amenity
• comfort
• extra
• frill
• indulgence
• luxury

Examples of superfluity in a Sentence

spends most of her money on designer clothes and other superfluities

a superfluity of wire coat hangers from all of those trips to the dry cleaner

Recent Examples on the Web

Retrospectives that span so many decades usually follow a certain arc: skill-building, imitation of admired masters, the finding of a personal voice, maybe a late-in-life fascination with superfluity (think Titian’s brushstrokes or Henry James’s sentences). —Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023

Not quite as aged as the añejo, Clase Azul Reposado delivers a superfluity of flavor highlighted by cooked agave, tropical fruit, vanilla and toffee. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 20 July 2022

Sort of like a proto –Yeezus, except instead of rapping about falling in love with a Kardashian, Blanco rapped with a sly wit about the superfluity of gender. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

Middle English superfluitee, from Anglo-French superfluité, from Late Latin superfluitat-, superfluitas, from Latin superfluus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

superfluity

noun

su·​per·​flu·​ity

ˌsü-pər-ˈflü-ət-ē

plural superfluities

1

: an amount in excess

2

: something unnecessary or superfluous