First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
surplus
noun sur·plus \ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs\
: an amount (such as an amount of money) that is more than the amount that is needed
Full Definition of SURPLUS
1
a : the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied b : an excess of receipts over disbursements
2
: the excess of a corporation's net worth over the par or stated value of its stock
— surplus adjective
See surplus defined for English-language learners
See surplus defined for kids
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Origin of SURPLUS
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin superplus, from Latin super- + plus more — more at plus
Related to SURPLUS
- Synonyms
- bellyful, fat, overabundance, overage, overflow, overkill, overmuch, overplus, oversupply, plethora, plus, redundancy, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, excess, surplusage
- Antonyms
- deficiency, deficit, insufficiency, undersupply
Other Economics Terms
SURPLUS Defined for Kids
1surplus
noun sur·plus \ˈsər-pləs\
Definition of SURPLUS for Kids
: an amount left over : excess
2surplus
adjective
Definition of SURPLUS for Kids
: left over : extra <surplus wheat>
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