Superfluousness refers to the quality or state of being excessive, unnecessary, or more than what is required or sufficient. It describes the presence of things, details, or actions that serve no practical purpose and contribute nothing of value. It implies a lack of constraint, efficiency, or relevance, leading to redundancy and waste. This characteristic can manifest in various aspects of life, from excessive spending and verbose communication to the inclusion of unnecessary features in a design or the presence of extraneous information in a document. The concept of superfluousness highlights the importance of parsimony, clarity, and the prioritization of essential elements.
Superfluousness meaning with examples
- The novel's length became a common topic for discussion, however, the excessive descriptions and detailed backstory made it drag on, a clear case of superfluousness that detracted from the core plot. Readers found themselves skimming through lengthy passages that offered little to no value. Ultimately, the author's indulgences overshadowed the main plot, resulting in many readers losing interest.
- In an effort to be more economical, the architect removed elements deemed to be superfluousness, the ornamental flourishes that added no structural benefits or aesthetic value. The changes stripped away the over-the-top design and produced a more pleasing, minimalist design. These changes did not negatively impact the overall design, demonstrating that the removal of inessential parts was successful.
- During the budget review, the manager identified several areas where expenses had been over budget. She discovered multiple instances of spending, from lavish entertaining to redundant software subscriptions. This revealed the superfluousness within the department's operations, and the business looked to improve spending to reduce wasted funds and save revenue in the future.
- The professor's lecture was often criticized for its superfluousness as he strayed from the core subject matter. These long detours and digressions made his lectures very difficult to listen to. The audience had difficulty remembering the key points of the lectures, due to the length. Removing the extraneous information would have made the lecture more engaging.
- When designing the new website, the developers made a concerted effort to eliminate any form of superfluousness. Every feature and design element had to have a clear purpose, or it was removed. The project team wanted a minimalist and user-friendly website to meet customer needs. The development team created a design that was clean, streamlined, and highly effective.