Supernumerary Definition & Meaning
supernumerary
- adjective
- more than is needed, desired, or required; "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy"
- noun
- a person serving no apparent function; "reducing staff is difficult because our employees include no supernumeraries"
- a minor actor in crowd scenes
Words that rhyme with supernumerary
Usage tips for "supernumerary"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "supernumerary" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for supernumerary to find words that pair well.