needless

Everyday

1. Not necessary, and often causing harm or waste that could have been avoided: «needless suffering». tree →
2. «Needless to say» means «as you would expect» or «it is obvious that…». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and the news, «needless» warns that something bad did not have to happen: needless deaths, needless waste. In everyday talk «needless to say» introduces something obvious. Phrases: «needless to say», «needless waste», «needless risk», «needlessly cruel».

Examples

• It was needless to leave the lights on all night. tree →
• Needless to say, we were very hungry after the long walk. tree →
• Wearing a helmet prevents needless injuries. tree →
• The fight caused needless pain. tree →
• He worried needlessly; the test was easy. tree →
• Throwing away good food is a needless waste. tree →
• It is needless to say what the dragons were like, for nowadays everyone knows, and dragons are not things to joke about. tree →

Note

Do not confuse with «needy» (poor, needing help) or «needles» (sewing pins, plural). «Needless to say» is a fixed phrase, often at the start of a sentence.