surplus
- something that remains above what is used or needed.
- an amount, quantity, etc., greater than needed.
- 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.
- Accounting.
- 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.
- an amount of assets in excess of what is requisite to meet liabilities.
- being a surplus; being in excess of what is required: surplus wheat.
- to treat as surplus; sell off; retire: The government surplussed some of its desert lands.
Origin of surplus
Synonyms for surplus
Related Words for surpluses
unused, leftover, excess, balance, over, spare, supernumerary, residue, oversupply, surfeit, plethora, superabundance, overmuch, overage, superfluity, plus, surplusage, overflow, remainder, overrunExamples from the Web for surpluses
Contemporary Examples of surpluses
Was the big debate in 2000 really about “What are we going to do with trillions in surpluses?”
Other states with surpluses include Iowa ($800 million) and Tennessee ($580 million).
But in states with surpluses, life is becoming more fun for governors.
And when it comes to state finances, surpluses can help spur further growth.
Here in Virginia we see results, solutions, job growth, surpluses, and cooperation.
Historical Examples of surpluses
That there is no object of general utility to which these surpluses can be applied.
Thirty Years' View (Vol. I of 2)Thomas Hart Benton
The result is that surpluses of Army harness can not be disposed of to advantage.
America's Munitions 1917-1918Benedict Crowell
The chief embarrassments have arisen, not from deficits, but from surpluses.
Congressional GovernmentWoodrow Wilson
Labor in all these countries has spent its wages, and cannot buy any of the surpluses.
The Iron HeelJack London
Soon they have surpluses, and are seeking other countries on which to unload.
The Iron HeelJack London
surplus
- a quantity or amount in excess of what is required
- accounting
- an excess of total assets over total liabilities
- an excess of actual net assets over the nominal value of capital stock
- an excess of revenues over expenditures during a certain period of time
- economics
- an excess of government revenues over expenditures during a certain financial year
- an excess of receipts over payments on the balance of payments
- being in excess; extra
Word Origin for surplus
Word Origin and History for surpluses
surplus
surplus
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.)