How to pronounce superfluous
Say it like SOO-perfl-wuhs. Superfluous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce superfluous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOO
- perfl
- wuhs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Superfluous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- perflKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- wuhsGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of superfluous
- American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: soo-PUR-floo-us.
What does superfluous mean?
- In excess of what is required or sufficient.“With a full rain suit, carrying an umbrella may be superfluous.”
Where does superfluous come from?
From Middle English superfluous, from Latin superfluus (“superfluous”) + -ous, from superfluō (“overflow”), from super (“above, more than, over”) + fluō (“flow”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying superfluous
How do you pronounce superfluous?
Say SOO-perfl-wuhs. The American pronunciation is /ˈsupɚflˌwʌs/. In British English it is /suːˈpɜːfluəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in superfluous?
Superfluous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOO). Broken into parts: SOO · perfl · wuhs.
Is superfluous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 3 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /suːˈpɜːfluəs/ (soo-PUR-floo-us).