surcharge

[sur-chahrj, sur-chahrj, sur-chahrj]

noun

1. an additional charge, tax, or cost.

2. an excessive sum or price charged.

3. an additional or excessive load or burden.

4. Philately.

   1. an overprint that alters or restates the face value or denomination of a stamp to which it has been applied.

   2. a stamp bearing such an overprint.

5. act of surcharging.

verb (used with object)

surcharged, surcharging 

1. to subject to an additional or extra charge, tax, cost, etc. (for payment).

2. to overcharge for goods.

3. to show an omission in (an account) of something that operates as a charge against the accounting party; to omit a credit toward (an account).

4. Philately.,  to print a surcharge on (a stamp).

5. to put an additional or excessive burden upon.

surcharge

noun

1. a charge in addition to the usual payment, tax, etc

2. an excessive sum charged, esp when unlawful

3. an extra and usually excessive burden or supply

4. law the act or an instance of surcharging

5. an overprint that alters the face value of a postage stamp

verb

1. to charge an additional sum, tax, etc

2. to overcharge (a person) for something

3. to put an extra physical burden upon; overload

4. to fill to excess; overwhelm

5. law to insert credits that have been omitted in (an account)

6. to overprint a surcharge on (a stamp)

Other Word Forms

• surcharger noun
• unsurcharged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surcharge¹

1400–50; late Middle English surchargen (v.) < Old French surcharger. See sur- ¹, charge

Example Sentences

Condo owners and renters face a 2.25% surcharge, but for just one renewal period.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It kind of takes the joy out of cruising,” said one commentator on a Cruise Critic message board, speaking in particular about the $5 surcharge for additional entrees.

Read more on MarketWatch

Drivers of diesel cars would have to pay a surcharge to encourage them to switch to less polluting vehicles.

Read more on BBC

The father was fined £200 and ordered to pay an £80 surcharge and £156 costs.

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A further £44,250 would have been due if he was an owner of the property because a stamp duty surcharge for second home purchase would have been due.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• expense 
• payment 
• surtax 
• tax