surplus

noun

sur·​plus ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs 

1

a

: the amount that remains when use or need is satisfied

b

: an excess of receipts over disbursements

2

: the excess of a corporation's net worth over the par or stated value of its stock

Synonyms of surplus

• excess
• overflow

Examples of surplus in a Sentence

If there is any surplus, it will be divided equally.

There is a surplus of workers and not enough jobs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Minnesota is currently working with a small $3 billion surplus. —Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 9 June 2026

When a seller prices tickets below what the market would bear, the surplus doesn’t disappear, but rather, moves into queues, bots, and resale platforms. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 June 2026

The 49ers did it in March, surrendering a third-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys, who had a surplus of starting defensive tackles after last season’s trades for Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

The surplus of orange cones all over our roads and highways are not for the Netherlands. —Mac Engel june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin superplus, from Latin super- + plus more — more at plus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing surplus

• budget surplus
• surplus to requirements
• surplus value
• trade surplus

Rhymes for surplus

• surplice

Kids Definition

surplus

noun

sur·​plus ˈsər-(ˌ)pləs 

1

: the amount more than what is required or necessary : excess

2

: an excess of income over spending

surplus adjective

Legal Definition

surplus

noun

sur·​plus ˈsər-ˌpləs 

1

a

: an amount that remains when a use or need is satisfied

b

: an excess of receipts over disbursements

c

: the value of assets after subtracting liabilities

2

: an excess of the net worth of a corporation over the par value of its capital stock compare undivided profits

— capital surplus

: all surplus other than earned surplus

— earned surplus

: the surplus that remains after deducting losses, distributions to stockholders, and transfers to capital stock accounts

— paid-in surplus

: surplus resulting from the sale of stock at amounts above par