Definition

1. Adjective (predicative only):
   • Unwanted or superfluous: "de trop" describes someone or something that is considered excessive, unnecessary, or out of place in a given social situation.

Usage Examples

• (Her talking was unwanted and out of place.)
• (He felt superfluous or unwelcome.)
• (The decorations were excessive and unnecessary.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be de trop": to be considered an unwelcome or awkward presence.

  • After the argument, his apologies seemed de trop. (His apologies were no longer needed or appropriate.)

• "to find someone de trop": to regard someone as an unwanted intruder.

  • The host found the uninvited guest de trop and asked him to leave. (The host considered the guest superfluous and unwelcome.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trop (adverb, French borrowing): too much, excessively (used in phrases like "trop de" meaning "too much of").
  • There was trop de noise in the room. (There was too much noise.)

Synonyms

• Superfluous: more than is needed; unnecessary.
• Unwanted: not desired or welcome.
• Excess: an amount that is more than necessary.
• Out of place: not fitting in a particular situation.

Related Idioms

• A fifth wheel: someone or something that is unnecessary or unwanted.

  • He felt like a fifth wheel at the party. (He felt de trop.)

• A spare part: a person who is not needed or is surplus.

  • She was treated like a spare part in the meeting. (She felt de trop.)

Etymology Note

"De trop" is a French loan phrase that literally means "of too much" or "excessive." It entered English in the 18th century and is used primarily in formal or literary contexts.