surplus

American  

[sur-pluhs, -pluhs] / ˈsɜr plʌs, -pləs /

noun

1. something that remains above what is used or needed.

   Synonyms:

   superabundance

2. an amount, quantity, etc., greater than needed.

3. agricultural produce or a quantity of food grown by a nation or area in excess of its needs, especially such a quantity of food purchased and stored by a governmental program of guaranteeing farmers a specific price for certain crops.

4. Accounting.

   1. the excess of assets over liabilities accumulated throughout the existence of a business, excepting assets against which stock certificates have been issued; excess of net worth over capital-stock value.

   2. an amount of assets in excess of what is requisite to meet liabilities.

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adjective

1. being a surplus; being in excess of what is required.

   surplus wheat.

verb (used with object)

surplussed, surplused, surplussing, surplusing

1. to treat as surplus; sell off; retire.

   The government surplussed some of its desert lands.

surplus British  

/ ˈsɜːpləs /

noun

1. a quantity or amount in excess of what is required

2. accounting

   1. an excess of total assets over total liabilities

   2. an excess of actual net assets over the nominal value of capital stock

   3. an excess of revenues over expenditures during a certain period of time

3. economics

   1. an excess of government revenues over expenditures during a certain financial year

   2. an excess of receipts over payments on the balance of payments

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adjective

1. being in excess; extra

surplus Cultural  

1. An unsold quantity of a good resulting from a lack of equilibrium in a market. For example, if a price is artificially high, sellers will bring more goods to the market than buyers will be willing to buy. (Compare shortage.)

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Related Words

See remainder.

Etymology

Origin of surplus

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Old French surplus, s(o)urplus, from Medieval Latin superplūs, equivalent to super- preposition and prefix + plūs neuter noun; super-, plus

Example Sentences

The Section 301 probes cite unfair practices, such as trade surpluses and industrial overcapacity, with China identified as a primary source of the problem.

From The Wall Street Journal

Global nitrogen markets are operating with virtually no surplus capacity, says Jake Hanley, chief growth officer at Teucrium, a fund company focusing on commodities and alternative assets.

From Barron's

Singapore’s trade ministry said the notice flagged the city-state as having a goods and services trade surplus of $27 billion with the U.S. in 2024, but that U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

Canada’s longstanding surplus with the U.S. narrowed again in January, to the narrowest level since last August, and exports to Canada’s biggest market by far continued to decline.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We feel this gives a more comforting message on the sustainability of future share buybacks even if these are not covered by net surplus generation,” J.P.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• excess
• leftover
• unused