surcharge
surcharge Lexical Profile
surcharge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An additional charge, fee, or tax added to the standard cost of a good or service.
"The airline added a fuel surcharge to all international tickets due to rising oil prices."
An official mark or new value overprinted on a postage or revenue stamp that alters its original face value.
"Collectors eagerly sought the rare postage stamp featuring an inverted surcharge."
An excessive or additional load, burden, or supply of something, such as weight on a retaining wall or electric charge.
"Engineers reinforced the retaining wall to withstand the surcharge from the adjacent highway."
• verb
To exact an additional fee, payment, or tax from a customer or taxpayer.
"The delivery company began to surcharge customers for weekend and holiday shipments."
To load, fill, or burden to excess (often used of electrical charge, moisture, or emotion).
"The courtroom atmosphere was surcharged with tension as the jury prepared to deliver its verdict."
To print an official mark or new denomination over the face of a postage or revenue stamp.
"Postal authorities decided to surcharge the remaining stock of two-cent stamps during the shortage."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Old French 'surchargier', meaning 'to overload', from 'sur-' (over) + 'chargier' (to load or charge).