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Superfluously: meaning, definitions and examples

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superfluously

 

[suːˈpɜːr.flu.əs.li ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

used in a sentence

In a way that is unnecessary or excessively.

Synonyms

excessively, needlessly, unnecessarily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "superfluously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superfluamente

🇮🇳 अतिरिक्त रूप से

🇩🇪 überflüssig

🇮🇩 berlebihan

🇺🇦 надмірно

🇵🇱 nadmiernie

🇯🇵 余分に

🇫🇷 superfluement

🇪🇸 superfluamente

🇹🇷 gereksiz yere

🇰🇷 불필요하게

🇸🇦 بشكل زائد

🇨🇿 nadbytečně

🇸🇰 nadbytočne

🇨🇳 多余地

🇸🇮 prekomerno

🇮🇸 umfram

🇰🇿 артық

🇬🇪 ზედმეტად

🇦🇿 artıq

🇲🇽 superfluamente

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.