Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
💸 An extra fee ➕ To add a fee 📬 To print value 💥 To overload
to surcharge

to surcharge

8.5
Print a new value on a stamp or paper money
  • verb
  • /ˈsɜrˌtʃɑrdʒ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sobrecargar
  • Collectors highly value rare stamps that were surcharged after new denominations were introduced.

Examples

  • They surcharged the stamps with new values.

  • The government surcharged several banknotes when the currency was revalued.

  • The postal authority decided to surcharge the old stamps due to the change in postage rates.

  • The bank will surcharge the old notes.

  • The postal service surcharged the old stamps to reflect the new postage rates.

  • In response to the currency update, the bank surcharged many of its banknotes.

  • After the new denomination was established, they surcharged the stamps accordingly.

Compounds

solidarity surcharge
  • Formal
7.9

An extra tax added to regular taxes to pay for rebuilding or support in poorer areas

Surface Forms

surcharge infinitive
surcharged past
surcharged past participle
surcharging present participle
surcharges third person singular

Morphology

surcharge = charge (semi-transparent) = sur + charge

Derived from 'sur-' + 'charge' but the specialized printing sense ('overprint a new denomination') is technical and may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Surcharge comes from the French parts sur- 'over' and charge 'to place or mark'. To surcharge a stamp is to put a new value 'over' the old one by printing it on top.