surcharge

[ noun sur-chahrj; verb 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)

, sur·charged, sur·charg·ing.

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)

Derived Forms

• surˈcharger, noun

Other Words From

• sur·charger noun
• unsur·charged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surcharge¹

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

Example Sentences

He was was ordered to pay £56 in fine and victim surcharge.

From BBC

At Camelback Ranch, tickets bought on game day are subject to a surcharge.

From Los Angeles Times

The surcharge removal goes into effect on Nov. 7 — the same day as the launch of Starbucks’ holiday menu.

From Salon

Landlords face paying a higher stamp duty surcharge.

From BBC

Edwards was also ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge totalling £239.

From BBC

Related Words

• expense
• payment
• surtax
• tax