surcharge

An extra amount added to the usual or agreed price.

• There is a surcharge for weekend delivery.
• The airline added a fuel surcharge.
• Did you pay a surcharge for using your card?

How to use it: surcharge on something (There is a surcharge on overseas orders.); surcharge for something (They charge a surcharge for express delivery.)

Similar words: extra charge, additional fee

Common phrases: fuel surcharge, surcharge on something, pay a surcharge

The part of a price you pay yourself because public or other financial support does not cover it.

• The subsidy leaves a small surcharge for consumers.
• Her benefit covered most costs, but a surcharge remained.
• Patients pay the surcharge that public funding does not cover.

Similar words: copayment

Common phrases: consumer surcharge, surcharge for something

Extra printing on a postage stamp that changes its stated value.

• The stamp has a red surcharge.
• Collectors examined the surcharge under a magnifying glass.
• A surcharge raised the stamp’s value during inflation.

Similar words: overprint

Common phrases: stamp surcharge, red surcharge

A picture or design painted in lighter enamel over a darker enamel base.

• The artist added a pale enamel surcharge.
• A delicate surcharge covered the dark enamel base.
• Firing preserved the lighter colors of the surcharge.

Common phrases: enamel surcharge, a delicate surcharge

To make someone pay an extra amount on top of the usual price.

• The hotel surcharges guests for late checkout.
• We were surcharged for paying by card.
• Will they surcharge this order for express delivery?

How to use it: surcharge someone for something (The airline surcharged us for extra baggage.)

Similar words: charge extra

Common phrases: surcharge someone, surcharge a payment

To put more weight or pressure on something than it can safely carry.

• They surcharged the ship with heavy cargo.
• The mule was surcharged and could barely walk.
• Too much powder had surcharged the cannon.

Similar words: overload, overburden

Common phrases: surcharge a ship, surcharge an animal

To put more farm animals on land than it can feed or than you are allowed to keep there.

• The farmer surcharged the common with cattle.
• Too many sheep had surcharged the pasture.
• Owners were fined if they surcharged the shared grazing land.

Similar words: overstock

Common phrases: surcharge a pasture, surcharge the common

To show that an account leaves out an amount that should have been recorded as a credit.

• The auditor surcharged the account for an omitted credit.
• They sought to surcharge the accounts using payment records.
• She surcharged the account after finding the missing entry.

Common phrases: surcharge an account, surcharge the accounts