pleonasm

American  

[plee-uh-naz-uhm] / ˈpli əˌnæz əm /

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.

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pleonasm British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• pleonastic adjective
• pleonastically adverb

Etymology

Origin of pleonasm

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-

Explanation

Pleonasm is using more words than you need to, either accidentally or deliberately. An example of pleonasm? "She picked up the tiny little baby kitten." The Greek root word in pleonasm is pleonazein, which describes something as more than enough. Used accidentally, a pleonasm is just long-winded wordiness, like a sentence that includes far more words than is necessary. Used on purpose, pleonasm is a tool used by writers and speakers to emphasize something or clarify an idea through repetition. This helps audiences remember main ideas as they listen or read.

Example Sentences

Note he won’t shout loudly – that’s known as a pleonasm, when more words than necessary are used.

From The Guardian • Apr. 29, 2019

The phrase 'think for one's self' is a pleonasm.

From Time Magazine Archive

If we say that it is the science of the spirit, we indulge in a useless pleonasm.

From The Reform of Education by Gentile, Giovanni

The preceding examples illustrate an apparent paradox, viz., the fact of pleonasm and ellipsis being closely allied.

From A Handbook of the English Language by Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)

It is a pleonasm to inscribe on any order for distinguished service; for every order ought to be for distinguished service.

From The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer: the Wisdom of Life by Saunders, T. Bailey (Thomas Bailey)