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surplus

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈsɜrpləs/ · UK /ˈsɜːpləs/

surplus means: A situation in which there is more of something than people need.

noun

EXTRA SUPPLYB2

A situation in which there is more of something than people need.

  • There is a surplus of rice.
  • Good harvests produced a surplus of grain.
  • The factory faces a surplus because orders have fallen.

How to use it: a surplus of something (The region has a surplus of potatoes.)

Similar words: excess, oversupply

Opposites: shortage, deficit

Common phrases: a food surplus, surplus of grain, large surplus, sell the surplus

adjective

EXTRAB2

More than is needed or can be used.

  • We donated the surplus food.
  • The shop sold its surplus stock cheaply.
  • Surplus funds can be saved for repairs.

Similar words: extra, excess, spare

Common phrases: surplus stock, surplus equipment, surplus funds

Questions about surplus

What does surplus mean?

A situation in which there is more of something than people need.

What is surplus in other languages?

Türkçe: fazlalık · Español: excedente · Français: surplus · Deutsch: Überschuss · Italiano: eccedenza · 日本語: 余剰

How do you pronounce surplus?

In American English /ˈsɜrpləs/; in British English /ˈsɜːpləs/.

How do you use surplus in a sentence?

There is a surplus of rice. Good harvests produced a surplus of grain.

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surplus in other languages

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