Superfluous / adjective / su·per·flu·ous

Do you have a friend, family member, or co-worker who always seems to do “the absolute most “by acting out, talking loudly, or making a scene in social situations?

These are the people some of us call extra or superfluous. Engaging in over-the-top behaviors and doing more than what is necessary for any situation are examples of superfluousness in motion.

Superfluous is an adjective we use to describe things, people, or situations that exceed what is sufficient or necessary. We also use superfluous in an obsolete sense that means extravagant or over-the-top. To be called superfluous is an insult, and in today’s language, it means you are doing too much or doing the most.

In a Sentence

They ejected the rambunctious teenagers from the movie theater because of their superfluous behavior.

The social media influencers’ behavior was superfluous, and none of her old friends could relate to her anymore.

Their superfluous dance routine resulted in the judges giving them a low score and eliminating them from the dance contest.

Etymology

We created the word “superfluous” from the combination of the Middle English and Latin prefix super- and the word fluere, which means “to flow.” These two words together form the Latin superfluus representing “overflowing” and “running over” in the 15th century. We’ve used superfluous with the same meaning since its introduction into the language.

Synonym

Surplus, Redundant

Antonym

Necessary, Essential