supererogatory
Americanadjective
-
going beyond the requirements of duty.
-
greater than that required or needed; superfluous.
adjective
-
performed to an extent exceeding that required or expected
-
exceeding what is needed; superfluous
-
RC Church of, characterizing, or relating to prayers, good works, etc, performed over and above those prescribed as obligatory
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of supererogatory
From the Medieval Latin word superērogātōrius, dating back to 1585–95. See supererogate, -tory 1
Explanation
Something that is supererogatory goes way beyond what’s required. Washing all the dishes, sweeping the floor, and taking out the trash would be supererogatory if your dad only asked you to put your plate in the dishwasher. The adjective supererogatory was originally used in a religious context — Roman Catholic theology defined supererogatory acts as those that exceeded God's requirements. The Latin root, supererogatio, means "a payment in addition" — it derives from super ("above”) and erogare ("pay out"). Think of supererogatory actions as going the extra mile, like leaving a hundred dollar tip at a diner or shoveling the whole block instead of just your own sidewalk.
Vocabulary lists containing supererogatory
Power Prefix: super-
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with "S"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Babbitt
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When I’m feeling especially Muslim, I stop by the mosque for a free plate of food, and the supererogatory Ramadan evening prayer called Taraweeh.
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2020
For this, Johnson King introduced me to the term supererogatory, which describes moral acts that are “above and beyond” the call of duty.
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2019
Culver Academy's reiterated aim is one that many an older school regards as supererogatory: to train the youth in self-control, stick-to-it-iveness, fair play, courage, self-restraint, etc. etc.
From Time Magazine Archive
What can a director do with such supererogatory skimble-scamble?
From Time Magazine Archive
Besides, if he needed such a supererogatory endorsement of his “advisers,” there was no time to get it.
From The Judicial Murder of Mary E. Surratt by DeWitt, David Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
