pleonastic
UK: ˌpliːəˈnæstɪk | US: ˌpliːəˈnæstɪk
adj. using more words than necessary; redundant or superfluous in expression.
pleonastic = pleon<excess> + astic<adjective suffix>
- pleon (from Greek pleon "more, excessive")
- astic (adjective-forming suffix, derived from Greek -astikos, indicating relation or tendency)
Etymology Origin:
The word pleonastic traces back to Greek pleonazein ("to be excessive"), combining pleon ("more") with the suffix -astic, which denotes a characteristic quality. It entered English via Late Latin pleonasticus, originally describing rhetorical redundancy. The term reflects a linguistic tendency to over-elaborate, often for emphasis or stylistic effect.
His pleonastic speech bored the audience with its endless repetitions.
The editor trimmed the pleonastic phrases to make the essay concise.
Legal documents are often criticized for being unnecessarily pleonastic.
She avoided pleonastic expressions to keep her writing clear and direct.
The professor highlighted the pleonastic nature of the poet’s verbose style.