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surplus

surplus

192 3.1
An amount that is more than what is needed
  • noun
  • /ˈsɜrpləs/
translation icon : superávit (económico)
  • The charity was grateful for the surplus of donations it received this year.
  • a trade surplus
  • a budget surplus
  • a current account surplus

Some of them make a surplus, but not many do.

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Examples

  • We have a $3 billion surplus.

  • If only we had some surplus to offer.

  • Some of them make a surplus, but not many do.

  • We have to give out of our surplus, as as they say.

  • Do we get the surplus with healthy things as well?

  • Employees produce a surplus, which the employer gets.

  • By contrast, the pressure on surplus countries to expand credit was not as strong.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The federal budget has gone from a surplus to massive annual deficits.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We sent our surplus and our stockpile to support Ukraine.

  • He had a big conference on the corn surplus.

Synonyms

excess
vssurplus
108 3.3

An amount more than needed or allowed

is neutral, stating simply an amount greater than needed or used
overrun
vssurplus
14 5.9

An extra amount made beyond what is needed

covers extra amount in any context, not only production or presence
overabundance
vssurplus
7 5.7

Too much of something that is not needed

is a milder term for extra amount without stressing size
overage
vssurplus
3 6.8

An amount of money or goods that is more than expected

is more general, covering extra amounts not only in money or records
surplusage
vssurplus
9.9

Extra things or words that are not needed

is the shorter, more common form for that same excess amount
nimiety
vssurplus
  • Formal
9.9

An amount that is more than needed

refers to extra amount without implying it is very large
overplus
vssurplus
  • Archaic
9.8

An amount that is more than is needed, often extra food or goods

states an extra amount without implying extreme or excessiveness
redundance
vssurplus
  • Archaic
7.8

A situation with extra parts or ideas that are not needed

refers specifically to an extra amount rather than the abstract state

Antonyms

674 4.3

An amount by which money or resources are less than needed

253 2.7

Not having enough of something people need, like food or water

Idioms

More than needed and no longer useful

Compounds

trade surplus
  • Specialized
11 3.5

A country sells more goods to other countries than it buys from them

How Excessive

glut
20 6.8
oversupply
4 4.5
surplus
192 3.1
excess
77 4.1

Surface Forms

surplus singular
surpluses plural

Etymology

Surplus comes from Old French parts sur- meaning 'over' and plus meaning 'more', like the English word plus. So a surplus is an amount 'over' what you need — an extra that can be used, sold, or given away.