Superfluously - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

used in a sentence

In a way that is unnecessary or excessively.

Synonyms

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
superfluously	Appropriate when describing something that is beyond what is needed or required, often implying that it is redundant or unhelpful. He added superfluously detailed explanations to his already clear instructions. The report was filled with superfluously repetitive information.
unnecessarily	Used to point out that something is done without a valid reason, often highlighting that it could have been avoided. The rules were unnecessarily strict. She was worried that the meeting would be unnecessarily long.
excessively	Appropriate when referring to something that is too much in degree, often implying that it is more than what is reasonable or necessary. She exercised excessively, leading to fatigue and injury. The company spends excessively on marketing campaigns.
needlessly	Suitable for situations where something is done without necessity or reason, and often implies a waste of effort or resources. He worried needlessly about things that never happened. The project was complicated needlessly with extra steps.

Examples of usage

He superfluously spent money on items he didn't need.
She superfluously added extra details to the report.
The speech was superfluously long and boring.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Researchers suggest that excessive behaviors, like purchasing unnecessary items, can be linked to emotional responses or stress relief.
In decision-making, people often struggle with the concept of ‘too much choice,’ which reflects superfluous options leading to anxiety.
The phenomenon of hoarding can exemplify superfluously accumulating items that hold little real value but provide comfort.

Literature

In literature, characters often face dilemmas arising from excessive actions, leading to conflict and deeper themes in storytelling.
Authors may use superfluous descriptions to create vivid imagery, but doing so too much can detract from the main story.
The term is sometimes employed in critiques of writing styles that are overly elaborate or verbose, impacting clarity.

Pop Culture

In reality TV, contestants may be seen engaging in superfluous activities for drama, showcasing excess in entertainment.
Fashion trends often highlight superfluous designs where more is deemed better, influencing consumer behavior and preferences.
Internet memes frequently play on superfluous ideas, exaggerating everyday situations for comedic effect.

Science

In ecosystems, superfluous species can disrupt balance, where an overabundance of one species affects the habitat.
Excessive nutrients in water bodies, known as eutrophication, lead to superfluous algae blooms, harming aquatic life.
The study of waste in various industries explores how superfluous materials can lead to environmental issues.

Origin of 'superfluously'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin ‘superfluus,’ meaning ‘overflowing’ or ‘excessive,’ indicating something that exceeds what is needed.
It has been used in the English language since the early 17th century to describe unnecessary abundance.
The prefix ‘super-’ means ‘above’ or ‘beyond,’ while ‘fluus’ relates to flow, giving the sense of overflow.

The word 'superfluously' originates from the Latin word 'superfluus', meaning 'overflowing'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century and has been used to describe actions or things that are excessive or unnecessary.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,814, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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38811 keypunching
38812 impoliteness
38813 seahorse
38814 superfluously
38815 discernibly
38816 superpose
38817 sweepstake
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Superfluously Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations