Standard Lemma guide

supervacuous

adj · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /supəˈvækjʊəs/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

superfluous, more than needed

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • 1850, John Evelyn, R. M. Evanson, The History of Religion: A Rational Account of the True Religion, H. Colburn, page 285, Of this treasure, the Pope having the key, he may dispense the supervacuous duties of others (who do more than is required for their salvation) to sinners who have no merit of their own.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin supervacuus (“more than needed”), from super (“above”) + vacuus (“vacant”), equivalent to super- + vacuous.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: liiallinen — more than needed
  • Latin: supervacuus — more than needed