Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unnecessary because it is more than needed: Describing something that is surplus, extra, or not required because the need or purpose is already fulfilled.
   • Repetitive or using unnecessary words: Describing language that repeats the same idea using different words, making it wordy or verbose.
   • No longer needed for a job: Describing a worker whose job has been eliminated, often due to technological changes or reorganization.

Usage Examples

• As an adjective (more than needed):
  • The new software made the old manual process redundant.
  • The report contained redundant data that could be removed.
• As an adjective (repetitive language):
  • Saying "ATM machine" is redundant because "machine" is already part of the acronym.
  • His speech was full of redundant phrases.
• As an adjective (job-related):
  • Five hundred factory workers were made redundant after the automation.
  • Her position became redundant following the merger.

Advanced Usage

• "to be made redundant": A formal phrase used in business and employment contexts to indicate that a job or position has been eliminated, and the employee is dismissed as a result.
  • He was made redundant after twenty years with the company.
• Redundant systems: In engineering and computing, this refers to backup components or systems that are duplicates of primary ones, intended to take over if the primary fails. This is a positive use of the concept.
  • The aircraft has redundant electrical systems for safety.

Variants and Related Words

• Redundancy (noun):
  • The state of being redundant.

    • The redundancy of the information was clear.
    • The company announced a wave of redundancies.
• Redundantly (adverb):
  • In a redundant manner.

    • The point was stated redundantly.

Synonyms

• Superfluous: Exceeding what is sufficient or necessary.
• Unnecessary: Not needed.
• Excess: More than the usual or necessary amount.
• Pleonastic / Tautological: Using more words than necessary to express an idea, especially by repeating the same sense in different words (specifically for language).

Antonyms

• Essential: Absolutely necessary.
• Necessary: Required to be done, achieved, or present.
• Concise: Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.

Related Phrases

• Redundant array of independent disks (RAID): A data storage technology that combines multiple disk drives for redundancy and performance (a technical term).
• Avoid redundancy: A common instruction in writing and editing to eliminate unnecessary repetition.

Adjective

1. repetition of same sense in different words
   • `a true fact' and `a free gift' are pleonastic expressions
   • the phrase `a beginner who has just started' is tautological
   • at the risk of being redundant I return to my original proposition- J.B.Conant
2. more than is needed, desired, or required
   • trying to lose excess weight
   • found some extra change lying on the dresser
   • yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant
   • skills made redundant by technological advance
   • sleeping in the spare room
   • supernumerary ornamentation
   • it was supererogatory of her to gloat
   • delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words
   • extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts
   • surplus cheese distributed to the needy