Pleonasm
noun
The use of more words than are needed to express an idea; redundancy.
The phrase 'free gift' is a pleonasm because the word 'free' is redundant.
Often appears as...
- redundant pleonasm
- unintentional pleonasm
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A phrase or expression in which the same idea is stated more than once.
'Adequate enough' is an example of a pleonasm.
Often appears as...
- common pleonasm
- grammatical pleonasm
Usage tips
Literary
noun
The use of more words than are needed to express an idea; redundancy.
The phrase 'free gift' is a pleonasm because the word 'free' is redundant.
Often appears as...
- redundant pleonasm
- unintentional pleonasm
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A phrase or expression in which the same idea is stated more than once.
'Adequate enough' is an example of a pleonasm.
Often appears as...
- common pleonasm
- grammatical pleonasm
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Avoid Overstatement
Use 'pleonasm' to catch unnecessarily repeated ideas that do not add meaning.
Noticing the pleonasm in 'circle around' helps you write concisely.
Pro Tip 2/3Enhance Clarity
Recognize pleonasm to make your points clear without extra words muddling your message.
She revised her essay to eliminate the pleonasm and clarify her argument.
Pro Tip 3/3Identify Emphasis
Sometimes pleonasm can be used for emphasis or style, but should be used sparingly.
His speech used pleonasm to emphasize his strong feelings.
Compare with
prolixityredundancyrepetitionsuperfluitytautologyverbiageverbositywordiness
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