surplus

That which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus; overage.

Adjective

  1. Being or constituting a surplus; more than sufficient.
    • surplus population
    • surplus words
    • The latest shipment of goods is surplus to our needs.

    Synonyms: excess offcut

Origin

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

Noun

  1. That which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus; overage.

    Synonyms: overquantity oversum superabundance abundance acrasia acrasy excess excessiveness exuberance copiousness fecundity fertileness fertility fruitfulness fulth glut immoderation incontinence intemperance mountain nimiety overabundance overage overflow

    Antonyms: deficit lack shortage

  2. Specifically, an amount in the public treasury at any time greater than is required for the ordinary purposes of the government.
  3. The remainder of a fund appropriated for a particular purpose.
  4. assets left after liabilities and debts, including capital stock have been deducted.

Forms

surpluses surplusses

Derived

nonsurplus

Verb

  1. To treat as surplus to requirements; to sell off or dismiss from employment, etc.
    • This employee was engaged to direct asphalt plants and inasmuch as the work for which he had been employed was completed, he was surplused and his return travel was approved […] - 1952, United States. Congress. House....

Forms

surpluses surplusses surplusing surplussing surplused surplussed

Derived

agricultural surplus capital surplus consumer surplus producer surplus surplus killing surplus labour surplus to requirements surplus value trade surplus