pleonasm

[ plee-uh-naz-uhm ]

noun

1. the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy.
2. an instance of this, as free gift or true fact.
3. a redundant word or expression.

pleonasm

/ ˈpliːəˌnæzəm /

noun

1. the use of more words than necessary or an instance of this, such as a tiny little child
2. a word or phrase that is superfluous

Derived Forms

• ˌpleoˈnastic, adjective
• ˌpleoˈnastically, adverb

Other Words From

• pleo·nastic adjective
• pleo·nasti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleonasm¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmós “redundancy, surplus,” derivative of pleonázein “to be or have more than enough,” itself derivative of pleíōn “more”; pleo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleonasm¹

C16: from Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos excess, from pleonazein to be redundant

Example Sentences

Technically speaking, that expression is a pleonasm—a redundant description—since all facts are, by definition, true.

From The New Yorker

It’s a pleonasm to say that these performances, which took place in public, were never intended for domestic listening; they have the sort of intensity that’s incongruous with the quiet enjoyment of home.

From The New Yorker

To call it 'the will to live' is therefore a pleonasm.

From Project Gutenberg

Our attention is called to its "unique transcendence"—which is a penny-a-lining pleonasm.

From Project Gutenberg

At risk of being a tad picky, I should point out that Richard's letter about pedantry offered that gift to pedants of including a pleonasm, when he states that he would, 'lose in heroic failure'.

From The Guardian