surplus
surplus Lexical Profile
surplus Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply over demand.
"Favorable weather conditions resulted in a massive grain surplus across the region."
An excess of income or assets over expenditure or liabilities in a given financial period.
"Higher tax revenues helped the state government achieve a budget surplus for the first time in a decade."
• adjective
More than what is needed or used; excess.
"The bakery donates its surplus bread and pastries to a local shelter every evening."
• verb
American To declare (equipment, supplies, or property) to be in excess of requirements and dispose of or sell it off.
"The school district surplused dozens of outdated desktop computers at the end of the academic year."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'surplus' (an excess amount) with its homophone 'surplice' (a loose white linen vestment worn by clergy and choristers).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French surplus, from Medieval Latin superplus, formed from Latin super- ('over, above') and plus ('more').