superfluity

noun

su·​per·​flu·​i·​ty ˌsü-pər-ˈflü-ə-tē How to pronounce superfluity (audio)
plural superfluities
1
b
: something unnecessary or superfluous
2
: immoderate and especially luxurious living, habits, or desires

Examples of superfluity in a Sentence

spends most of her money on designer clothes and other superfluities a superfluity of wire coat hangers from all of those trips to the dry cleaner
Recent Examples on the Web Retrospectives that span so many decades usually follow a certain arc: skill-building, imitation of admired masters, the finding of a personal voice, maybe a late-in-life fascination with superfluity (think Titian’s brushstrokes or Henry James’s sentences). Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2023 Not quite as aged as the añejo, Clase Azul Reposado delivers a superfluity of flavor highlighted by cooked agave, tropical fruit, vanilla and toffee. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 20 July 2022 Sort of like a proto –Yeezus, except instead of rapping about falling in love with a Kardashian, Blanco rapped with a sly wit about the superfluity of gender. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'superfluity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English superfluitee, from Anglo-French superfluité, from Late Latin superfluitat-, superfluitas, from Latin superfluus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of superfluity was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near superfluity

Cite this Entry

“Superfluity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superfluity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

superfluity

noun
su·​per·​flu·​ity
ˌsü-pər-ˈflü-ət-ē
plural superfluities
1
: an amount in excess
2
: something unnecessary or superfluous

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