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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Redundant: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：not needed (redundant)

redundant 🔊

/rɪˈdʌndənt/

adj.

Something that is extra and not needed because you already have enough or the same thing exists.

not needed 🔊

➕

/ˈnɒt ˈniːdɪd/

adj.

Describing something that is surplus, extra, or no longer necessary because its function is already fulfilled by something else.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'redundare' (to overflow), from 're-' (again) + 'unda' (a wave).

💡 Mnemonic

REDundant sounds like 'ran down' - when something is ran down, it's often not needed anymore.

📖 Example

The old backup generator is redundant now that we have a reliable solar power system installed. 🔊 The old backup generator is not needed now that we have a reliable solar power system installed.

🔗 Collocations

redundant system – A backup system that takes over if the primary one fails.

become redundant – To become unnecessary or obsolete.

render something redundant – To cause something to become unnecessary.

🔄 Synonyms

unnecessary (adj.) – Not needed for a purpose.

superfluous (adj.) – Exceeding what is sufficient or required.

excessive (adj.) – More than is necessary, normal, or desirable.

🚫 Antonyms

essential (adj.) – Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

necessary (adj.) – Required to be done, achieved, or present; needed.

indispensable (adj.) – Absolutely necessary.

🌱 Derivatives

redundancy (n.) – The state of being redundant, especially a worker's job no longer being needed.

redundantly (adv.) – In a redundant manner.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin meaning 'to overflow', it evolved to describe excess. In modern contexts, it's crucial in engineering for 'redundant systems' (backups for safety) and in corporate jargon for workforce reduction ('being made redundant').

Meaning 2：laid off (redundant)

redundant 🔊

/rɪˈdʌndənt/

adj.

When a person loses their job because their position is no longer needed by the company, often due to new technology or reorganization.

laid off 🔊

➕

/leɪd ɒf/

adj.

Describing a worker whose job is eliminated, typically due to organizational changes, technological advancements, or economic reasons, not because of personal performance.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After the company introduced new accounting software, several data entry clerks were made redundant. 🔊 After the company introduced new accounting software, several data entry clerks were laid off.

🔗 Collocations

be made redundant – To be dismissed from a job because the position is no longer required.

redundancy notice – The official notification given to an employee informing them their job is being eliminated.

compulsory redundancy – Job loss that is mandatory and not voluntary.

🔄 Synonyms

laid off (adj.) – Dismissed from a job, typically because of workforce reduction.

dismissed (adj.) – Removed from a job or position.

let go (adj. phrase) – Allowed or forced to leave a job.

🚫 Antonyms

employed (adj.) – Having a paid job.

retained (adj.) – Kept in one's job or position.