Definition

1. Noun:
   • An amount or quantity that is more than what is needed or used; an excess: A superfluity is something that exceeds what is sufficient or necessary.
   • The state or quality of being superfluous: It can refer to the condition of being unnecessary or redundant.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The supermarket displayed a superfluity of ripe bananas. (There was an excessive amount of bananas, more than could likely be sold or needed.)
  • His speech was criticized for its superfluity of adjectives. (The speech contained an unnecessary excess of descriptive words.)
  • In modern life, we often face a superfluity of choices. (We are presented with an overwhelming and sometimes unnecessary number of options.)

Advanced Usage

• "A superfluity of...": This is a common construction used to indicate an overabundance of something specific.
  • The banquet table groaned under a superfluity of delicacies. (The table was overloaded with an excessive number of fine foods.)
• Used in formal or literary contexts to critique waste, excess, or lack of restraint.

Variants and Related Words

• Superfluous (adj): Exceeding what is sufficient or required; unnecessary.
  • The final paragraph was superfluous to the argument.
• Superfluously (adv): In an unnecessary or excessive manner.
  • The document was superfluously detailed.

Synonyms

• Excess: An amount of something that is more than necessary, permitted, or desirable.
• Surplus: An amount left over when requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply.
• Overabundance: An excessive quantity.
• Pleonasm (specifically for language): The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning.

Antonyms

• Shortage: A state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts.
• Deficiency: A lack or shortage.
• Necessity: The fact of being required or indispensable.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• An embarrassment of riches: A situation where there is so much of a good thing that it becomes a problem. This idiom is often used as a synonym for a troublesome superfluity.
  • With three excellent candidates, the hiring committee faced an embarrassment of riches.

Noun

1. extreme excess
   • an embarrassment of riches