surplus

[ sur-pluhs, -pluhs ]

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.

adjective

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

   surplus wheat.

verb (used with object)

surplussed or surplusedsurplussing or surplusing

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

   The government surplussed some of its desert lands.

surplus

/ 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

adjective

1. being in excess; extra

surplus

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 .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of surplus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of surplus¹

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin superplūs, from Latin super- + plūs more

Synonym Study

See remainder.

Example Sentences

After purchasing these infrequently used rights, the slow and expensive leasing process deters cities from leasing surplus rights back to irrigators in normal or wet years, which reduces long-term agricultural productivity.

From Science Daily

Australia and India had surpluses to sell, and the high prices spurred exports from Brazil.

From Science Magazine

He wants to fundamentally change the global economic map, and reduce China and Europe’s trade surplus with the US, which he views as “ripping off America”.

From BBC

Miller also leads her department’s real estate group, whose responsibilities include evaluating surplus and underutilized properties — at the request of the City Council — that have potential for redevelopment.

From Los Angeles Times

He said baby boomers, now in their late 70s, will soon put millions of homes on the market, creating a surplus and a cratering of home values.

From Salon

Related Words

• balance