needless
gb/nˈidləs/ us/nˈidləs/
B2
English
~ 7600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not needed; unnecessary
Not needed; something that you do not have to do or have.
Usage pattern:
needless [noun]; [something] is needless
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "needless" with "useless". "Needless" means something is not necessary, while "useless" means something does not work well or has no good result. Learners may also incorrectly use *needless* as an adverb (e.g., "He spoke needless"); the correct adverb is "needlessly".
Synonyms
unnecessary (Most direct and neutral equivalent in almost all contexts.)
|
superfluous (More formal and suggests something extra beyond what is sufficient.)
|
redundant (Often used when something is repeated or no longer needed.)
Antonyms
necessary (Describes something that must exist or happen.)
|
essential (Stronger than "necessary", for things that are very important or basic.)
Collocations
needless to say
|needless waste
|needless expense
|needless delay
|needless paperwork
|a needless trip
Themes
daily life
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We took a needless taxi ride when the office was only two blocks away.
- The form asks for a lot of needless information that they never use.
- They added needless decorations that made the design look busy.
- Please avoid needless emails; put all the details in one message.
- The report is full of needless detail that hides the main point.
Learner examples
- This extra work is needless.
- We made a needless trip to the bank.
- The book has many needless pages.
- Do not ask needless questions in the exam.
- There is a lot of needless noise in this room.
adjective
C1
property
2
unnecessary and especially harmful
Not needed and also causing pain, loss, or another bad result.
Usage pattern:
needless [negative noun]
Synonyms
unwarranted (Suggests something is not justified or fair, often in formal contexts.)
|
avoidable (Focuses on the idea that the harm could have been prevented.)
|
gratuitous (Often used for violence or insults that seem pointless or excessive.)
Antonyms
justified (Indicates that the harm or negative effect has a good reason.)
|
warranted (Formal; means that something is reasonable or deserved in the situation.)
Collocations
needless suffering
|needless cruelty
|needless violence
|needless risk
|needless death
Themes
emotions
|social issues
|core_vocabulary
|health
Examples
- The new policy has caused needless suffering for many families.
- We should not take needless risks with people’s safety.
- The movie was criticised for its needless violence.
- Her comment caused needless hurt and tension in the team.
- Good planning can prevent a lot of needless stress at work.
Learner examples
- The war created much needless pain.
- He took a needless risk with his health.
- That was a needless fight between friends.
- The test gave students needless stress.
- We want to stop all needless deaths on the road.
Grammar
Dictionary form
needless
IPA
GB/nˈidləs/
US/nˈidləs/
Syllables & stress
need - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (need)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: needless
Word family
Expressions
needless to say
1/nˈidləs tə sˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
of course; obviously
Used before you say something that everyone already knows or expects.
Examples
- Needless to say, everyone was shocked by the news.
- Needless to say, we were very happy with the result.
- Needless to say, you will need a ticket to get in.