needless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of needless
First recorded in 1175–1225, needless is from the Middle English word nedles. See need, -less
Explanation
Something needless isn't required, necessary, or wanted. If you haven't touched that plastic back scratcher since Christmas 1992, it's probably needless. If your mom frets every time you walk out the door, you can assure her that it's needless worry — you'll be fine. And buying extremely pricey underwear might seem to be a needless expense — who cares how fancy your underwear is? Needless comes from need and its Old English root nied, "necessity."
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.
Needless to say, this type of graphically articulated exchange wouldn’t work if the performances didn’t land.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026
Needless to say, as more channels encrypted their signals, BUD sales withered.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
Needless to say, the Tweedy, Browne team believes these companies have been paying high prices to buy back shares.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 6, 2026
"Needless to say, being flexible is much more successful."
From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026
Needless to say, I wasn’t invited on that adventure.
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
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.
