surcharge
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈsɜːr.tʃɑːrdʒ/
KK: /ˈsɜrˌtʃɑrɡ/
noun
Definition
An extra amount of money added to the usual price or cost of something.
Example
The restaurant added a surcharge to the bill for large groups.
Conversation
Did you see the receipt from that restaurant?
Yeah, I noticed they added a surcharge for the holiday.
I think that's a bit unfair, don’t you?
Definitely! It feels like they're just trying to make extra money.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
extra
fee
charge
Antonyms
refund
discount
rebate
transitive verb
Definition
To charge someone an extra amount of money on top of the usual price.
Example
The company decided to surcharge customers for late payments.
Tense Forms
Past: surcharged
Past Participle: surcharged
Conversation
Did you notice they surcharge us for using credit cards at that café?
Yeah, it’s such a hassle to pay extra just for convenience.
I think it’s unfair to surcharge customers like that.
Root Explanation
Surcharge is formed from "sur-" (meaning over or above) and "charger" (from Old French, meaning to load or charge). The word describes an additional charge or fee that is added on top of the original amount.
Memory Tip
Think of an extra fee that is 'over' ('sur-') the original cost, as if you are 'loading' ('charger') on more expenses.
Visually Confused Words
unsurcharge
supercharge
unsurcharged
supercharger
supercharged
uncharge
recharge
undercharge