ENGLISH
REFERENCE

surplus

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈsɝpɫəs// UK //sˈɜːpləs// sur·plus
  1. 1 extra amount (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an amount of something that is left over because you have more than you need.

    an amount or quantity in excess of what is needed or used. Often used in the context of resources or commodities.

    Example

    The country produced a huge surplus of grain this year and exported the extra to its neighbors.

    Example

    The humanitarian agency struggled to distribute the sudden surplus of donated clothing before the rainy season began.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the resource.
  2. 2 financial/budgetary excess (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Economics

    the amount of money left over when income is higher than spending.

    the positive difference between income and expenditure in a budget, or the assets remaining after all liabilities are deducted.

    Example

    The government announced a budget surplus for the first time in a decade.

    Example

    Economists argued that the trade surplus was a result of suppressed domestic demand rather than increased manufacturing efficiency.

    Usage

    Commonly appears in the phrases 'budget surplus' or 'trade surplus'.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 extra or leftover (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes something that is extra and not currently needed.

    being in excess of what is required; redundant to current needs.

    Example

    You can buy cheap camping gear at the army surplus store.

    Example

    The school board decided to sell the surplus furniture to raise funds for the new library computer lab.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
  2. 4 to get rid of extra items (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical

    to sell or give away things that a company or government no longer needs.

    to designate equipment or personnel as no longer required and subsequently dispose of or dismiss them.

    Example

    The department plans to surplus its old vehicles by the end of the month.

    Example

    Under the new restructuring plan, several administrative roles were surplused to reduce the firm's annual operating costs.

    Usage

    Transitive verb requiring a direct object.
Origin

From Middle English surplus, from Middle French surplus. Compare French surplus.

© 2026 English Reference