superfluous

adjective

su·​per·​flu·​ous su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs 

1

a

: exceeding what is sufficient or necessary : extra

a superfluous word/detail

Desserts after meals as sweet as these might be superfluous.

—Sam Sifton

b

: not needed : unnecessary

Further discussion seemed superfluous.

The concept of a summer scarf—even one this light—is superfluous yet chic.

—Liana Satenstein

2

obsolete : marked by wastefulness : extravagant

superfluously adverb

superfluousness noun

Did you know?

If, say, you were to go chasing waterfalls in addition to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to, such a pursuit would be superfluous. In other words, you would be exceeding what is necessary to satisfy your need for water-based enjoyment and recreation. “You’ve already got rivers and lakes,” your friends might advise with a bit of TLC, “just stick to them!” “Extra water” is also key to understanding the history of the word superfluous, which entered Middle English from the Latin adjective superfluus, meaning literally “running over.” Superfluus, in turn, comes from the verb superfluere (“to overflow”), which combines the prefix super- (meaning “over”) and fluere, “to flow.” In addition to influencing superfluous, fluere also flowed into the English words affluent, influence, and fluid, among others.

Synonyms of superfluous

• extra
• excess
• surplus
• spare
• unnecessary

Examples of superfluous in a Sentence

In the Imagist model, the writer is a sculptor. Technique consists of chipping away everything superfluous in order to reveal the essential form within. "It took you ninety-seven words to do it," Pound is reported to have remarked to a young literary aspirant who had handed him a new poem. "I find it could have been managed in fifty-six." —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 9 & 16 June 2008

Oddly, despite the preponderance of superfluous words, the book has no glossary, which is a must for an introductory audience. —Dorothy Merritts, Eos, 3 Oct. 2000

Twenty years ago, baby boomers were written about as if every one of them had as a life goal making enough money to accumulate the same superfluous material objects that everyone else had. —Calvin Trillin, Time, 6 Sept. 1999

cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer

Recent Examples on the Web

The federal government may remain vast enough that some essential personnel ought to be considered superfluous, but as members of Congress and consumers are about to learn, plenty are not. —Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025

The latest budget bill on Trump’s watch jumped the national debt ceiling by another $5 trillion, which would have been superfluous if real government downsizing were intended. —Armstrong Williams, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025

While simplicity of form, a limited and neutral color palette, and a ban on superfluous decoration remain core characteristics of minimalism, contemporary designers have put their stamp on the style through materiality and tonal warmth. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2025

Some additions and changes are superfluous, but the update generally succeeds at improving functionality without introducing jarring changes that isolate users or force them to relearn how to use their phone. —ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin superfluus, literally, running over, from superfluere to overflow, from super- + fluere to flow — more at fluid

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for superfluous

• bus
• buss
• cuss
• fuss
• glace
• huss
• plus
• pus
• russ
• sus
• suss
• thus

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Kids Definition

superfluous

adjective

su·​per·​flu·​ous su̇-ˈpər-flə-wəs 

: going beyond what is enough or necessary : extra

superfluously

su̇-ˈpər-flə-wəs-lē

adverb

Etymology

Middle English superfluous "more than is needed," from Latin superfluus, literally, "running over," from superfluere "to overflow," from super- "over, in addition," and fluere "to flow" — related to fluid