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View synonyms for

pleonasm

[ plee-uh-naz-uhm ]

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.


pleonasm

/ ˈːəˌæə /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌˈԲپ, adjective
  • ˌˈԲپally, adverb
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Other yvlog Forms

  • o·Բt adjective
  • o·Բt·· adverb
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of pleonasm1

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek DzԲó “redundancy, surplus,” derivative of Dzá𾱲 “to be or have more than enough,” itself derivative of íō “mǰ”; pleo-
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of pleonasm1

C16: from Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos excess, from pleonazein to be redundant
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Technically speaking, that expression is a pleonasm—a redundant description—since all facts are, by definition, true.

From

It’s a pleonasm to say that these performances, which took place in public, were never intended for domestic listening; they have the sort of intensity that’s incongruous with the quiet enjoyment of home.

From

To call it 'the will to live' is therefore a pleonasm.

From

Our attention is called to its "unique transcendence"—which is a penny-a-lining pleonasm.

From

At risk of being a tad picky, I should point out that Richard's letter about pedantry offered that gift to pedants of including a pleonasm, when he states that he would, 'lose in heroic failure'.

From

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