noun
Common
surplus
SURP-luhs
Surplus (noun) means an amount left over after what is needed has been used; an excess. Example: “We donate our surplus of vegetables to the local food bank.”
noun
1
An amount left over after what is needed has been used; an excess.
"We donate our surplus of vegetables to the local food bank."
"The farm had a grain surplus after the harvest."
"The government reported a budget surplus this year."
adj
1
More than what is needed.
"Any surplus food from the canteen goes to a nearby shelter."
"The shop clears its surplus stock each January to make room."
"They sold off surplus equipment at auction."
How to use surplus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtra amount left over beyond what's needed.
Common mistake
The opposite is a "deficit" (a shortfall), not a "loss".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
budget surplus
trade surplus
surplus stock
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Word forms
- Plural
- surpluses, surplusses
- Third person singular
- surpluses, surplusses
- Past tense
- surplussed, surplused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We donate our _____ of vegetables to the local food bank.
Etymology
From Middle French surplus, from sur- ("over") + plus ("more").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “surplus” mean?
The word “surplus” means an amount left over after what is needed has been used; an excess. In plain terms, extra amount left over beyond what's needed.
How do you pronounce “surplus”?
“Surplus” is pronounced SURP-luhs (/ˈsɝˌplʌs/ in IPA).
How do you use “surplus” in a sentence?
Here is “surplus” used in a sentence: “The farm had a grain surplus after the harvest.”
What part of speech is “surplus”?
Depending on how it is used, “surplus” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “surplus” come from?
The word “surplus” comes from Middle French. From Middle French surplus, from sur- ("over") + plus ("more").
Is “surplus” a common word?
“Surplus” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “surplus” have?
“Surplus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an amount left over after what is needed has been used; an excess.
What is the difference between a "surplus" and a "deficit"?
A "surplus" is the amount left over when supply or income exceeds what is needed, while a "deficit" is a shortfall where needs exceed what is available. In budgets, a surplus means more money came in than went out, and a deficit means the opposite.
What is the difference between "surplus" and "excess"?
Both mean more than is needed, but "surplus" often carries a neutral or useful sense of a leftover, as in a trade surplus or surplus stock. "Excess" more often suggests an unwanted or harmful overabundance, as in excess weight or drinking to excess.
What nouns commonly go with "surplus"?
"Surplus" frequently pairs with budget, trade, food, and stock, as in "budget surplus" and "surplus stock." As an adjective it often precedes goods, equipment, or cash to mean more than is required.
Is "surplus" a formal word?
"Surplus" is fairly formal and is common in economics, government, and business writing, as in a trade surplus or surplus funds. In everyday speech, people more often say "extra" or "left over."
