What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
redundant
Example
The extra details in the report were redundant and didn't add any value. [redundant: adjective]
Example
The company had to lay off some employees due to redundant positions. [redundant: noun]
Example
Saying 'ATM machine' is redundant because the 'M' already stands for 'machine'. [redundant: adjective]
repetitive
Example
The song was too repetitive and became boring after a while. [repetitive: adjective]
Example
Data entry can be a very repetitive job. [repetitive: adjective]
Example
His repetitive behavior was starting to annoy his friends. [repetitive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repetitive is more commonly used than redundant in everyday language. Repetitive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while redundant is less common and refers to a specific type of repetition.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between redundant and repetitive?
Both redundant and repetitive can be used in formal and informal contexts, but redundant may be more formal due to its technical meaning in certain fields such as engineering or computer science.