UNNECESSARY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does unnecessary mean? 

• UNNECESSARY (adjective)
  The adjective UNNECESSARY has 1 sense:

1. not necessary

  Familiarity information: UNNECESSARY used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNNECESSARY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not necessary

Synonyms:

unnecessary; unneeded

Similar:

excess; extra; redundant; spare; supererogatory; superfluous; supernumerary; surplus (more than is needed, desired, or required)

gratuitous; needless; uncalled-for (unnecessary and unwarranted)

inessential (not absolutely necessary)

spare (kept in reserve especially for emergency use)

Also:

inessential; unessential (not basic or fundamental)

Attribute:

necessity (the condition of being essential or indispensable)

Antonym:

necessary (absolutely essential)

 Context examples 

It seemed an unnecessary caution; Jane was wanting to give her words, not to Mrs. Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse, as the latter plainly saw.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

I am sure it is quite unnecessary upon your sister's account and mine.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

However, at any rate, as I have a great deal more at stake on this point than anybody else can have, I think it rather unnecessary in you to be advising me.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

He had always meant to do something, and Amy's advice was quite unnecessary.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The statement had been obvious and unnecessary.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It should be unnecessary to state, at least to my friends, that I was shocked.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Indeed, Mr. Collins, all praise of me will be unnecessary.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Dear ma'am, this kindness is quite unnecessary.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

We forbore to light a fire or to make any unnecessary sound.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Stand clear, Watson! Not an unnecessary footstep!

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)