needless

Needless is an adjective meaning not required, not necessary, or more than is needed. It is used to describe actions, explanations, or warnings that are considered superfluous or gratuitous. For example, one might speak of a needless delay or needless details.

Origin and related forms: The word is formed from the noun need and the suffix -less, meaning without; thus "without need" or "not needing." It is closely related to unnecessary, though needless often carries a slightly stronger sense of avoidable excess or waste. The adverb form is needlessly, and the noun form needlessness appears in some contexts.

Idioms and usage notes: The phrase "needless to say" is a common idiom used to introduce something obvious or self-evident; many writers consider it redundant in formal prose, and some style guides recommend avoiding it in that register. In contemporary usage, needless can imply criticism that something was avoidable or gratuitous. Antonyms include necessary, essential, or required; related terms include unnecessary, gratuitous, and superfluous.