surplus
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈsɜːrpləs/
KK: /ˈsɜrpləs/
adjective
Definition
More than what is needed or required; extra.
Example
The store had a surplus of apples after the harvest.
Conversation
I heard there’s a surplus of apples at the market this week.
Really? That sounds great for making pies!
Yeah, I might pick up some, especially since they’re usually on sale with a surplus.
Good idea! We could have a pie-making day together.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
excess
extra
superfluous
Antonyms
deficient
scarce
insufficient
noun
Definition
An amount that is more than what is needed or required.
Example
The company had a surplus of goods after the holiday season.
Conversation
I heard we have a surplus of supplies at the office this month.
Really? That's great news!
Yeah, we might even have enough to donate some to a local charity.
Root Explanation
Surplus is formed from "sur-" (meaning over or above) and "plus" (from Latin "plus", meaning more). The word describes something that is more than what is needed or required, essentially an excess.
Memory Tip
Think of having 'more' ('plus') than what is necessary, which is what 'surplus' means.
Visually Confused Words
superplus
surculus