Definitions
- Describing something that is unnecessary or excessive. - Referring to something that is redundant or not needed. - Talking about something that is extra or surplus to requirements.
- Referring to an excess of something beyond what is needed or required. - Describing something that is left over after all needs have been met. - Talking about a surplus of goods or products that are available for sale.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to an excess or extra amount of something.
- 2Both words can be used to describe items or things that are not needed.
- 3Both words can be used to describe situations where there is more than what is required.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Superfluous is used to describe something that is unnecessary or excessive, while surplus is used to describe something that is extra or left over after all needs have been met.
- 2Type of excess: Superfluous refers to something that is redundant or not needed, while surplus refers to something that is beyond what is required.
- 3Context: Superfluous is often used in a negative context, while surplus can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
- 4Application: Superfluous is often used to describe non-material things such as words or actions, while surplus is often used to describe material things such as goods or products.
- 5Connotation: Superfluous has a negative connotation, while surplus can have either a positive or neutral connotation.
Remember this!
Superfluous and surplus are synonyms that describe an excess or extra amount of something. However, the difference between the two is that superfluous refers to something that is unnecessary or excessive, while surplus refers to something that is extra or left over after all needs have been met.