Definitions

superfluous

[soo-pur-floo-uhs] / sʊˈpɜr flu əs /

ADJECTIVE

extra, unnecessary

Synonyms

STRONGEST

excessive expendable gratuitous redundant unneeded useless

WEAK

abounding de trop dispensable excess exorbitant extravagant extreme in excess inessential inordinate lavish leftover needless nonessential overflowing overmuch pleonastic profuse remaining residuary spare superabundant supererogatory superfluent supernumerary surplus unasked uncalled-for unrequired unwanted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reasonable useful

WEAK

important necessary needed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Building another in an area close to the big Chinese military bases on Hainan seems superfluous.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

Once again, artificial intelligence was at the center of the selloff, amid worries that software would be made superfluous by Anthropic’s Claude applications.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Italians mastered how to create a food culture built around comfort and family without being superfluous.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2026

This provoked yelps from technocrats who said it was impractical and superfluous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

My Dictionary says superfluous means exceeding what is sufficient or necessary.

From "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine

Vocabulary lists containing superfluous

100 Top "SAT" Words

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Grade 11, List 1

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