Definitions
- Describing something that is unnecessary or excessive. - Referring to something that is redundant or surplus to requirements. - Talking about something that is not essential or needed in a particular situation.
- Referring to something that is additional or supplementary. - Describing something that is more than what is required or expected. - Talking about something that is optional or not necessary but still desirable.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to something that is not strictly necessary.
- 2Both can describe something that is additional or more than what is required.
- 3Both can be used to indicate excess or redundancy.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Superfluous is more formal and less commonly used than extra in everyday language.
- 2Connotation: Superfluous has a negative connotation, suggesting something unnecessary or wasteful, while extra can have a positive connotation, indicating something desirable or beneficial.
- 3Type of thing: Superfluous is often used to describe non-physical things, such as words or actions, while extra is more commonly used to describe physical objects or quantities.
- 4Degree: Superfluous implies a higher degree of excess or redundancy than extra.
- 5Formality: Superfluous is more formal and academic, while extra is more casual and colloquial.
Remember this!
Superfluous and extra are synonyms that both refer to something that is not strictly necessary. However, superfluous is more formal and has a negative connotation, suggesting something wasteful or unnecessary, while extra is more casual and can have a positive connotation, indicating something desirable or beneficial.
