Needless To Say Definition & Meaning

Idioms

Examples

needless to say Idioms

1. Very likely or obvious, self-evident, as in Needless to say, the availability of assault weapons is closely connected with crime. Although nonsensical at first glance (if unnecessary to say, why say it?), this phrase is generally used for emphasis. It originated as needless to speak in the early 1500s. Also see go without (saying).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Needless to say, shaking off 2025 will require quite a bit of verbal blotting.

From Salon

She recalls seeing "festive patatas bravas" on the menu, which needless to say, aren't particularly German.

From BBC

Needless to say, Safdie was convinced.

From Los Angeles Times

Needless to say, little was getting done in the way of schoolwork.

From Literature

Needless to say, Penelope had never entered a wealthy gentleman’s club before.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.