Superfluity: meaning, definitions and examples

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superfluity

 

[ ˌsuːpəˈfluːɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

excessive amount

The state of being more than is needed; an excessive amount. Superfluity can refer to both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Synonyms

excess, overabundance, surplus.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
superfluity

Used to describe an unnecessary amount of something, often in a negative or critical manner.

  • The superfluity of decorations made the room look cluttered.
  • In times of scarcity, superfluity becomes a problem.
excess

Used to describe an amount that is more than necessary, permitted, or desired; can have a neutral or negative connotation.

  • He was fined for driving at an excess speed.
  • Eating to excess can lead to health problems.
surplus

Refers to an amount of something left over when requirements have been met; generally has a neutral or positive connotation.

  • The company had a surplus of raw materials at the end of the year.
  • Farmers often sell their surplus produce at the market.
overabundance

Describes a situation where there is far too much of something, usually implying a problematic or wasteful scenario.

  • The overabundance of rain caused the fields to flood.
  • An overabundance of details can make the story confusing.

Examples of usage

  • There was a superfluity of food at the party, with leftovers for days.
  • The speech was filled with a superfluity of words, making it hard to follow.
Context #2 | Noun

unnecessary detail

The inclusion of unnecessary or excessive details or elements. Superfluity in writing or speech can detract from the main message.

Synonyms

excessiveness, redundancy, verbosity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
superfluity

Use 'superfluity' when referring to an excessive amount of something that is unnecessary or more than what is needed, often seen in a formal context.

  • The dinner table was laden with a superfluity of dishes, making it difficult to choose what to eat.
  • Her wardrobe contained a superfluity of clothes, many of which she had never worn.
verbosity

Use 'verbosity' when someone uses too many words to express an idea, making their speech or writing unnecessarily long-winded, often in a negative way.

  • The professor's verbosity made the lecture difficult to sit through.
  • Editors worked hard to cut down the verbosity of the manuscript.
redundancy

Use 'redundancy' when something is unnecessary or no longer needed, often in the context of work, language, or technology.

  • The company announced redundancies due to the economic downturn.
  • His speech was filled with redundancies that made it hard to follow.
excessiveness

Use 'excessiveness' when describing too much of something, often implying a negative connotation that something is going beyond what is reasonable or proper.

  • The excessiveness of his behavior at the party embarrassed everyone.
  • She was criticized for the excessiveness of her spending during the trip.

Examples of usage

  • The article contained a superfluity of footnotes, making it hard to read.
  • Her explanation had so much superfluity that the main point was lost.

Translations

Translations of the word "superfluity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superfluência

🇮🇳 अतिरिक्तता

🇩🇪 Überfluss

🇮🇩 kelebihan

🇺🇦 надмірність

🇵🇱 nadmiar

🇯🇵 余分

🇫🇷 superflu

🇪🇸 superfluidad

🇹🇷 gereklilik fazlası

🇰🇷 과잉

🇸🇦 زيادة

🇨🇿 nadbytečnost

🇸🇰 nadbytočnosť

🇨🇳 过多

🇸🇮 odvečnost

🇮🇸 óþarfa

🇰🇿 артықшылық

🇬🇪 ზედმეტობა

🇦🇿 artıqlıq

🇲🇽 superfluidad

Etymology

The word 'superfluity' comes from the Latin 'superfluus', which means 'overflowing'. It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally used to describe excess or surplus. Over time, it has evolved to encompass both physical abundance and unnecessary details.

See also: superfluously.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,262, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.