unnecessary
gb/ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/ us/ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
B1
English
~ 9500
felesleges, indokolatlan
B1
1
felesleges
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is unnecessary
Please avoid any unnecessary expenses this month.
Kérlek, ebben a hónapban kerüld a felesleges kiadásokat.
The report is full of unnecessary detail that makes it hard to read.
A jelentés tele van felesleges részletekkel, és emiatt nehéz olvasni.
Adding sugar is unnecessary because the fruit is already very sweet.
There was an unnecessary delay at the airport due to poor organization.
It's unnecessary to bring your passport for this local trip.
Learner examples
This meeting is unnecessary because we have already decided.
Ez a megbeszélés felesleges, mert már döntöttünk.
Do not take unnecessary things in your bag.
Ne pakolj felesleges dolgokat a táskádba.
It is unnecessary to print the email.
The extra question on the form is unnecessary.
Wearing a coat today is unnecessary; it is very warm.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *very not necessary* instead of using 'unnecessary'. Use 'unnecessary' or 'not necessary', for example: 'This step is unnecessary' or 'This step is not necessary.' Also remember the article: say 'an unnecessary step', not 'a unnecessary step'.
Meaning
not needed or required
Collocations
unnecessary risk
|unnecessary detail
|unnecessary expense
|unnecessary delay
|totally unnecessary
|seems unnecessary
Synonyms
needless (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal or literary.)
|
superfluous (Suggests something extra that adds no real value; more formal.)
|
redundant (Often used when something is repeated or no longer needed.)
|
avoidable (Focuses on the idea that it did not have to happen.)
Antonyms
necessary (Direct opposite; means needed or required.)
|
essential (Stronger than 'necessary', meaning absolutely needed.)
|
required (Opposite in formal or rule-based contexts, like laws or instructions.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not needed or not required in a situation.
Not needed, required, or useful in a particular situation; more than what is necessary.
B2
2
indokolatlan
B2
felesleges
B1
Usage pattern:
[comment/action] is unnecessary
Her remark about his weight was really unnecessary.
A súlyára tett megjegyzése teljesen felesleges volt.
The police used unnecessary force to break up the protest.
A rendőrség indokolatlan erőszakot alkalmazott a tüntetés feloszlatására.
That level of criticism was unnecessary and hurtful.
The referee penalized the player for unnecessary roughness.
Your anger is unnecessary; it was just an honest mistake.
Learner examples
That joke was unnecessary and made her feel bad.
Az a vicc teljesen felesleges volt, és rosszul esett neki.
The movie has a lot of unnecessary violence.
A filmben sok az indokolatlan erőszak.
His comment about my family was unnecessary.
Shouting at the waiter was unnecessary.
The teacher said our argument was unnecessary.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this only means 'not needed', but in this sense it also includes a judgment that something is too strong, rude, or unfair. If you want to say this clearly, you can also use 'uncalled-for' or 'not fair' along with 'unnecessary'.
Meaning
unjustified or uncalled-for
Collocations
unnecessary comment
|unnecessary criticism
|unnecessary violence
|unnecessary roughness
|unnecessary drama
|quite unnecessary
Synonyms
uncalled-for (Very close meaning; often used for rude or harsh remarks or actions.)
|
unwarranted (More formal; emphasizes lack of good reason or justification.)
|
gratuitous (Often used for violence or insults that are clearly not needed and feel extreme.)
|
excessive (Focuses on being too much or too strong.)
Antonyms
justified (Shows there was a good reason for the action or comment.)
|
warranted (Formal opposite; means there is enough reason or support for it.)
|
reasonable (Opposite in terms of fairness and level; not too strong or extreme.)
Themes
emotions
|conflict
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Too strong or not fair in a way that is not needed and may hurt or upset someone.
Unjustified, excessive, or uncalled-for, especially when it causes harm, offense, or annoyance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unnecessary
IPA
GB/ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
US/ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
un - ne - ces - sary (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ne)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unnecessary
Word family
Related words
necessarily
adverb B1
need
verb A1
Negative and opposite forms
needless
adjective B2
needlessly
adverb
Advanced or less common
necessitate
verb C1
Expressions
an unnecessary risk
1/ən ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi ɹˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
a risk that could be avoided
A danger or chance of losing something that you do not need to take.
Examples
- Driving in that storm would be an unnecessary risk.
- The manager said investing all our money in one company was an unnecessary risk.
completely unnecessary
1/kəmplˈitli ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
totally not needed
Used to say very strongly that something is not needed at all.
Examples
- Buying a second car right now is completely unnecessary.
- That last comment was completely unnecessary and only made things worse.
unnecessary roughness
1/ʌnnˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi ɹˈʌfnəs/
fixed phrase
sports foul for extra rough contact
A rule break in some sports where a player hits or pushes another player harder than is needed for the game.
Examples
- The referee called unnecessary roughness on the defender.
- He was penalized for unnecessary roughness after knocking the quarterback to the ground late.