redundant
What does "redundant" mean?
The word "redundant" describes something that is no longer needed because it is repetitive, unnecessary, or surplus to requirements. Imagine a craftsman building a table and adding five extra legs when only four are needed; those extra legs are redundant because they serve no purpose and occupy space that doesn't need to be filled. In a professional context, it is often used as a polite euphemism for being laid off from a job, implying the role itself is no longer necessary for the company. Outside of employment, you will frequently hear it used to describe technical systems or writing that repeats the same information without adding value.
"redundant" in conversation
Office restructuring
Did you hear? The accounting department is being cut.
Did you hear? The accounting department is being cut.
Yeah, management said our roles are redundant now.
Yeah, management said our roles are redundant now.
Used here as a professional term for job loss.
Writing critique
You used 'past history' in the intro.
You used 'past history' in the intro.
Oh, I see. Since history is already in the past, that's redundant.
Oh, I see. Since history is already in the past, that's redundant.
Used here to identify a linguistic pleonasm.
"redundant" in a sentence
The extra buttons on this remote are redundant.
The extra buttons on this remote are redundant.
Engineers often build redundant systems to ensure safety if one part fails.
Engineers often build redundant systems to ensure safety if one part fails.
Due to the merger, many positions in the marketing department became redundant.
Due to the merger, many positions in the marketing department became redundant.
