Etymologically
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unnecessary

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 13:11. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ʌnˈnɛs.ə.ɹɪ/; /ʌnˈnɛs.ə.s(ə)ɹɪ/, /ʌnˈnɛs.əˌsɛɹ.ɪ/ (UK); /ʌnˈnɛs.əˌsɛɹ.i/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from un- and necessary.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Needless, not required: the mid-15th century in Etymonline, the 15th century in MWU;[2][3] 1548 in the OED.[5]

Semantic evolution

As a plural noun, unnecessary things, it is from 1559.[5] An obsolete sense, not requiring much, is from 1605.[5] The colloquial come over all unnecessary, to become suddenly agitated or emotional, is from 1961.[5]

Timeline

  • mid-15th century – needless.[2]
  • 1559 – unnecessaries (noun).[5]
  • 1961 – come over all unnecessary.[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Not necessary; needless.
  2. More than is necessary; excessive: unnecessary force.

Word family

  • unnecessarily
  • unnecessariness

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press