pleonasm
the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy.
an instance of this, as free gift or true fact.
a redundant word or expression.
Origin of pleonasm
1Other words from pleonasm
- ple·o·nas·tic, adjective
- ple·o·nas·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Words Nearby pleonasm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pleonasm in a sentence
Redundancy or pleonasm is the use of more words than are necessary to express the thought clearly.
The Verbalist | Thomas Embly Osmun, (AKA Alfred Ayres)The preceding examples illustrate an apparent paradox, viz., the fact of pleonasm and ellipsis being closely allied.
A Handbook of the English Language | Robert Gordon LathamAccompany her among her female friends and female enemies (if that is no pleonasm), and look at her!
Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3) | Thomas CarlyleWe have spoken of "true worship;" the expression is a pleonasm.
The Articles of Faith | James E. TalmageThe pleonasm is explained by the divergence of French and ME.
Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose | Various
British Dictionary definitions for pleonasm
/ (ˈpliːəˌnæzəm) /
the use of more words than necessary or an instance of this, such as a tiny little child
a word or phrase that is superfluous
Origin of pleonasm
1Derived forms of pleonasm
- pleonastic, adjective
- pleonastically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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