redundant
redundant Lexical Profile
redundant Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous or needlessly repetitive, especially in language or writing.
"The editor crossed out several redundant phrases to make the essay more concise."
British No longer in employment because there is no more work available for one's position.
"Over two hundred factory workers were made redundant when the company automated its production line."
Of a component, device, or system: strictly duplicated or serving as a backup to prevent failure of an entire system upon the failure of a single unit.
"Commercial aircraft are equipped with redundant hydraulic and electrical systems to ensure passenger safety."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'redundant' commonly means laid off from a job because the position is no longer needed (as in 'made redundant'), whereas in American English it primarily describes repetitive language or backup engineering systems.
• Rhymes for redundant
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin 'redundans', the present participle of 'redundare' ('to overflow' or 'abound'), formed from 'red-' ('back' or 'again') and 'undare' ('to surge in waves', from 'unda', meaning 'wave').