Supernumerary (Adjective)
Meaning
More than is needed, desired, or required; "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The company had to lay off some supernumerary staff in order to cut costs during the economic downturn.
- Her supernumerary income allowed her to indulge in lavish vacations every year.
- The supernumerary muscle was surgically removed, allowing for a full recovery.
- With the advancement of technology, many jobs became supernumerary and were eventually phased out.
- The ornate, supernumerary decorations on the wedding cake were deemed excessive by some guests.