Logo
dictionary thesaurus

pleonasm

noun
ple·​o·​nasm | \ ˈplē-ə-ˌna-zəm How to pronounce pleonasm (audio) \

Definition of pleonasm

1 : the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in the man he said) : redundancy
2 : an instance or example of pleonasm
Other Words from pleonasm Did You Know? Learn More about pleonasm

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from pleonasm

pleonastic \ ˌplē-​ə-​ˈna-​stik How to pronounce pleonastic (audio) \ adjective
pleonastically \ ˌplē-​ə-​ˈna-​sti-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce pleonastically (audio) \ adverb

Did You Know?

Pleonasm, which stems via Late Latin from the Greek verb pleonazein ("to be excessive"), is a fancy word for "redundancy." It's related to our words "plus" and "plenty," and ultimately it goes back to the Greek word for "more," which is "pleōn." Pleonasm is commonly considered a fault of style, but it can also serve a useful function. "Extra" words can sometimes be helpful to a speaker or writer in getting a message across, adding emphasis, or simply adding an appealing sound and rhythm to a phrase - as, for example, with the pleonasm "I saw it with my own eyes!"

First Known Use of pleonasm

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pleonasm

Late Latin pleonasmus, from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein to be excessive, from pleiōn, pleōn more — more at plus

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

restive

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!