Surplus

Definition

Surplus refers to an amount of something left over when requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply over demand.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɜrpləs/
• Respelling: SUR-plus (with "SUR" as in "fur" and "plus" as in "plus")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɜːpləs/
• Respelling: SUR-plus (similar to American English, with "SUR" as in "fur" and "plus" like in "plus")

In both dialects, "surplus" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable, "SUR." The pronunciation of "surplus" is consistent between American and British English, reflecting the word's straightforward phonetic structure.

Etymology

The term "surplus" originates from the Old French word "surplus," which means "excess, abundance." It is derived from the Medieval Latin term "superplus," which is formed from the Latin prefix "super-" meaning "over" and "plus" meaning "more."

Derivatives

• Surplusage (noun)
• Superplus (noun, obsolete)
• Surprisingly (adverb)
• Surplusary (adjective, obsolete)
• Surplused (adjective)

Synonyms

• Excess
• Overflow
• Overabundance

Antonyms

• Deficit
• Shortage
• Lack

Usage

Surplus is a term widely used in economics, finance, and commerce to refer to an excess of assets, resources, or quantities after the necessary requirements have been satisfied. It can also be used in a general context to refer to an extra amount of something.

Related Terms

• Deficit
• Supply
• Demand
• Overproduction
• Economic surplus

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Excess Amount: An amount that is more than needed, desired, or required.
• Example: The budget had a surplus of $5,000 which was then allocated to other necessary resources.

• Excess Production or Supply: The amount by which the total assets, resources, or supply exceeds the demand or utilization.
• Example: The surplus of goods led to a decrease in market prices.

Adjective

• Being in Excess: More than is needed, desired, or required.
• Example: The company had surplus inventory that needed to be sold.