surcharge

1 of 2

verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

surcharged; surcharging; surcharges

transitive verb

1

a

: overcharge

b

: to charge an extra fee

c

: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given

2

British : overstock

3

: to fill or load to excess

the atmosphere … was surcharged with war hysteria

—H. A. Chippendale

4

a

: to mark a surcharge on (a stamp)

b

: overprint

surcharge a banknote

surcharge

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an additional tax, cost, or impost

b

: an extra fare

a sleeping car surcharge

c

: an instance of surcharging an account

2

: an excessive load or burden

3

: the action of surcharging : the state of being surcharged

4

a(1)

: an overprint on a stamp

specifically : one that alters the denomination

(2)

: a stamp bearing such an overprint

b

: an overprint on a currency note

Did you know?

The Arab oil embargo of 1973 led airlines to add fuel surcharges to their passenger fares that were large enough to discourage air travel. Surcharges are usually added for special service. When you request a "rush job" from a service supplier, it will probably bring a surcharge along with it. A particularly difficult phone installation may carry a surcharge. An extra-large fine for a speeding offense after you've already had too many tickets could be called a surcharge. An added tax may be called a surcharge (or surtax) when it only affects people with incomes above a certain level. And if those low, low prices that show up in really big letters in ads for all kinds of services turn out to be misleading, it's probably because they don't include a bunch of surcharges that you won't find out about till later.

Synonyms

Verb

• gouge
• overcharge
• soak
• sting

Examples of surcharge in a Sentence

Verb

contends that with the present tax structure, the state's lower-income residents are being surcharged and the wealthiest residents are getting off too lightly

Noun

The airline has added a $20 fuel surcharge on all international flights.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

One of our key initiatives was partnering with banks to make our network accessible to their cardholders, surcharge free. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

But those insurers are allowed to surcharge their own policyholders to recoup those payments, meaning those with insurance coverage across the state could see their rates increase. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025

Noun

The price is $4,950, and there’s a $250 surcharge for a hybrid e-bike. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. —Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Lawmakers voted to impose a capital gains surcharge of 1.75 percentage points on top of the 6.99% rate that the wealthiest earners currently pay, meaning that the new rate would be 8.74%. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French surcharger, from sur- + charger to load, charge — more at charge entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for surcharge

• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• barge
• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• overcharge

Kids Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

1

a

: overcharge sense 1

b

: to charge an extra fee

2

: overload entry 1

3

: to mark a new value or a surcharge on a stamp

surcharge

2 of 2 noun

1

: an additional tax or charge

2

: a burden that is too great

3

a

: a mark on top of a stamp that changes the value

b

: a stamp bearing such a mark

Legal Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 transitive verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

1

: to impose a surcharge on

surcharge a trustee for failing to exercise due care

2

: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given

surcharge

2 of 2 noun

1

: an additional or excessive charge

2

: a penalty imposed on a fiduciary for failing to exercise due care in the management of assets