What does superfluous mean?
Word: Superfluous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Superfluous means more than is needed, and so of no real use.
Synonyms: unnecessary, needless
Antonyms: necessary
How do you spell superfluous?
Syllables: su - per - flu - ous
Tricky part: Many pupils hear one quick vowel after the fl and write the word without its u. Two vowel sounds sit there, even in fast speech.
Watch out for: superflous, superfluos, superfluious
Memory tip: Think of the word fluid. It has a u straight after the fl, and this word keeps the same u.
Superfluous in a sentence
Example 1: Our teacher told us to cut every superfluous word from the essay.
Example 2: With the new lift in place, the old rope and pulley became superfluous.
Example 3: A long introduction felt superfluous, as everyone in the room already knew the speaker.
Fun Fact
The word comes from a Latin adjective meaning overflowing, so it first painted a picture of liquid running over the brim of a cup.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
supperfluous
a) u
b) s
c) p
d) o
Show answer
c) p. One letter has been doubled for no reason near the start of the word; the opening is the same as in superb.
Mingle-Mangle
Unscramble the jumbled word in the sentence and choose it:
Her report was tight and clear, with not one fouprusleus sentence in it.
a) superficial
b) superstitious
c) superfluous
d) supernatural
Show answer
c) superfluous. Three u's and no t, a, i or c among the letters: one option is left standing.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word superfluous as used in the sentence:
The editor removed the superfluous details from the story about the sports day.
a) spare
b) excessive
c) additional
d) essential
Show answer
d) essential. Details you cannot do without are the exact opposite of details nobody needs.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. abundent 2. superfluous 3. extravagence 4. luxuary
a) going beyond what the situation calls for
b) something costly and pleasant to own
c) the habit of spending too much money
d) present in large and plentiful amounts
Show answer
a) going beyond what the situation calls for. Abundant and extravagance both need an a in their endings, and luxury has no a at all.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would be superfluous on a one-day picnic in May in Chennai?
a) a full water bottle
b) a packed tiffin box
c) a wide sun hat
d) a heavy woollen blanket
Show answer
d) a heavy woollen blanket
2. Why might a teacher cross out a superfluous sentence in an essay?
a) it was copied from a textbook
b) it is too hard to follow
c) it adds nothing to the point
d) it has a comma in the wrong place
Show answer
c) it adds nothing to the point
