superfluous
More than is needed, and so not necessary.
superfluous in a sentence
- With the sun shining, our umbrellas were superfluous.
- The editor cut out all the superfluous words from the story.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to superfluous?
- Aunnecessary
- Bneeded
- Cvital
- Dessential
Show the answer
A: unnecessary. The other three mean the opposite of superfluous.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to superfluous?
- Aunnecessary
- Bsurplus
- Cessential
- Dexcess
Show the answer
C: essential. The other three mean nearly the same as superfluous.
Words that mean something similar
unnecessary, excess, surplus
Words that mean the opposite
essential, needed, vital
More words about size & amount
- superior: Better, higher or more important than others.
- surplus: An amount left over when you have more than you need.
- swarm: A large moving crowd of insects or people.
- teem: To be completely full of moving things.
- throng: A large crowd of people packed together.
- tinge: A small amount of a colour or feeling.
- tremendous: Extremely large or extremely good.
- trifle: Something of little value or importance.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test