superfluous
/sjʊˈpɜːflu.əs/
Group 16Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough GRE
Example in Context
The editor excised every superfluous word from the manuscript, reducing its length by a third without losing any substantive content.
Synonyms
extraunnecessarysurplus
Etymology
Flowing above what's necessary — excess.
- super- (Latin) — above
- fluere (Latin) — to flow
Memory Aid
💦Sounds like “super-flu-ous”
Imagine a superhero with a FLU that sprays out superfluous amounts of tissues everywhere, creating a MESS!
Visual Association
🧻A superhero covered in toilet paper rolls, overwhelmed by the excessive supply of tissues flying around.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “superfluous” mean on the GRE?
superfluous (adjective) means “Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough”. The editor excised every superfluous word from the manuscript, reducing its length by a third without losing any substantive content.
How to remember “superfluous” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “superfluous” sounds like “super-flu-ous”. Imagine a superhero with a FLU that sprays out superfluous amounts of tissues everywhere, creating a MESS!
What are synonyms for “superfluous”?
Common synonyms: extra, unnecessary, surplus.