Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

surplus

noun [C]
 
 /ˈsɜrˌplʌs, -pləs/

Definition

an amount that is more than is needed: The world is now producing large food surpluses. The government is forecasting a budget surplus this year (= all the money available to be spent will not be spent). A surplus is also the amount of money you have left when you sell more than you buy: a trade surplus surplus
 
 /ˈsɜr·plʌs, -pləs/ adjective [not gradable]
Farmers are feeding their surplus wheat to pigs.
(Definition of surplus noun from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Focus on the pronunciation of surplus

“surplus” in other dictionaries

Word of the Day

jettison

to get rid of something or someone that is not wanted or needed

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More