needless

/ˈniːdləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈniːdləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnēd-ləs/ (ame, mw)

needless — adjective

  • needlesspositive
  • more needlesscomparative
  • most needlesssuperlative

1. describes something that is not required because it serves no real purpose and c

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes something that is not required because it serves no real purpose and could have been avoided without making things worse

例句

The extra security checks seemed needless and caused long delays for passengers.

predicative use: seemed needless

The report contained a lot of needless repetition that made it harder to read.

attributive use: needless repetition

同義詞
  • unnecessary

    more general; needless is stronger about avoidability

  • unwarranted

    formal; emphasises that something lacks justification

  • avoidable

    focuses on the possibility of prevention rather than the lack of purpose

反義詞

文法句型

be + needless

needless + noun

用法筆記

Frequently modifies nouns for things that could have been prevented, such as worry, expense, repetition, delay, or risk. Cannot be used before an infinitive (✗ 'It was needless to go') — use 'there is no need to' instead.

常見錯誤

❌It was needless for her to wait.
✅There was no need for her to wait.
💡'needless' describes the thing itself, not the action.
❌This is a needless problem.' (when meaning 'pointless')
✅This is an unnecessary problem.
💡'needless' focuses on avoidability, not lack of purpose.