surplus
gb/sˈɚpləs/ us/sˈɚpləs/
B2
Inglés
~ 7800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B2
quantity
1
extra amount beyond what is needed
An extra amount of something that is not needed because you already have enough.
Patrón de uso:
a surplus of [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "surplus" when they only mean "a lot". "Surplus" is used when there is MORE than is needed or wanted, not just a large amount. Another mistake is using it before a noun like an adjective in all cases (e.g., *"a surplus water"*); in most everyday cases you should say "a surplus of water".
Sinónimos
excess (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in everyday speech and can sound a bit more informal in some contexts.)
|
extra (More informal and general; does not always carry the idea of a measurable amount left over after needs are met.)
Antónimos
shortage (Emphasizes not having enough of something, the direct opposite of having a surplus.)
|
deficit (Used especially with money or resources when there is less than is needed, opposing the idea of a surplus.)
Colocaciones
a surplus of
|large surplus
|create a surplus
|cash surplus
|food surplus
|trade surplus
Temas
daily life
|business
|economics
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The company reported a surplus of $2 million at the end of the year.
- After everyone had eaten, there was still a huge surplus of food on the table.
- We have a surplus of volunteers for this event, so some people may not be needed.
- The project finished under budget, leaving a small cash surplus.
- Farmers faced a surplus of grain after an unusually good harvest.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We had a surplus of food after the party.
- This month the shop made a surplus of money.
- There is a surplus of workers in this town.
- The farm has a surplus of eggs in the summer.
- The school sold the surplus books at a low price.
Sustantivo
C1
quantity
2
extra government or budget money
Money left over when a government, company, or person gets more money than they spend in a certain time.
Patrón de uso:
a budget surplus of [amount]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse "surplus" with "profit". A profit is usually money earned by a business after costs, while a "budget surplus" is often used for governments or organizations to mean income is higher than spending in a period. Also, you say "a budget surplus", not *"a surplus budget"* when talking about this specific financial result.
Sinónimos
balance (In phrases like "positive balance" or "budgetary balance"; more general and does not always mean income is clearly higher than spending.)
|
profit (Used mainly for businesses; focuses on money earned after costs, while "surplus" is often used for governments or non‑profits and for budgets.)
Antónimos
budget deficit (Specifically refers to spending being higher than income in a budget, the opposite of a budget surplus.)
|
shortfall (General term for not having enough money to meet needs or targets, opposing a surplus of funds.)
Colocaciones
budget surplus
|fiscal surplus
|run a surplus
|record surplus
|budget deficit and surplus
Temas
economics
|business
|politics
|finance
Ejemplos
- The government announced a budget surplus for the first time in ten years.
- Thanks to higher tax revenues, the city ended the year with a small surplus.
- The charity aims to spend any surplus on community projects.
- If the company continues to cut costs, it could generate a significant surplus next quarter.
- Voters were pleased to hear that the state had turned its deficit into a surplus.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Our country has a budget surplus this year.
- The city used its surplus to fix the roads.
- Because of good sales, the company made a surplus.
- The school spent the surplus on new computers.
- Last year there was a deficit, but this year there is a surplus.
Sustantivo
technical
C1
quantity
3
more exports than imports
When a country sells more goods and services to other countries than it buys from them, measured in money.
Patrón de uso:
a trade surplus of [amount]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse a "trade surplus" with a "budget surplus". A trade surplus is about exports and imports between countries, while a budget surplus is about income and spending inside a government or organization.
Sinónimos
positive trade balance (More formal and technical; explicitly refers to the trade balance being above zero rather than using the noun "surplus".)
Antónimos
trade deficit (The direct opposite situation where imports are greater than exports.)
Colocaciones
trade surplus
|current account surplus
|huge trade surplus
|post a surplus
|surplus on the trade balance
Temas
economics
|trade
|finance
|business
Ejemplos
- China recorded a large trade surplus with the United States last year.
- The country relies on its trade surplus to support the value of its currency.
- A growing trade surplus can lead to political tensions with trading partners.
- After years of deficits, the nation finally achieved a modest trade surplus.
- The report shows a widening trade surplus driven by strong car exports.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The country has a big trade surplus with its neighbors.
- Germany often has a trade surplus because it exports many cars.
- A trade surplus means exports are higher than imports.
- Last year the trade deficit changed into a trade surplus.
- The government is happy about the new trade surplus.
adjective
B2
property
4
extra; more than needed
Extra and not needed, because there is already enough.
Patrón de uso:
surplus [noun]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes put "surplus" after the noun, as in *"the chairs surplus"*. As an adjective, it normally comes before the noun: "surplus chairs". Also, do not use it before every noun meaning "many"; it specifically means "more than needed".
Sinónimos
excess (Very close in meaning; often slightly more formal and can sound more negative when describing something unwanted.)
|
extra (More informal and very common; may not always suggest that something is actually not needed, just that there is more.)
Antónimos
necessary (Indicates something that is needed, opposite of surplus items which are not required.)
|
insufficient (States that there is not enough of something, the opposite quantity situation to having surplus.)
Colocaciones
surplus stock
|surplus cash
|surplus staff
|surplus food
|surplus capacity
|surplus equipment
Temas
daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The warehouse is full of surplus stock from last season.
- We need to cut surplus staff to reduce costs.
- Any surplus funds will be invested in new equipment.
- The company sold its surplus vehicles at auction.
- The charity collects surplus food from supermarkets and gives it to people in need.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The store is selling surplus clothes very cheaply.
- We have surplus chairs, so you can take one home.
- The company has surplus cash this year.
- The army sold its surplus equipment.
- They gave the surplus food to a local shelter.
Sustantivo
B2
entity
5
unneeded goods or equipment
Things, like goods or equipment, that an organization does not need anymore and usually sells or gives away.
Patrón de uso:
surplus [goods/equipment/items]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the general money or amount sense and say things like *"a surplus of army"* instead of "army surplus" for goods. When you mean physical items that are not needed, use phrases like "army surplus" or "surplus equipment".
Sinónimos
leftovers (More informal and general; often used for food and not as common for equipment or official goods.)
|
excess inventory (Business term focusing on unsold stock rather than all kinds of unneeded items.)
Antónimos
essential equipment (Refers to items that are still needed, the opposite of surplus equipment that is no longer required.)
Colocaciones
army surplus
|military surplus
|sell surplus
|surplus goods
|government surplus
Temas
business
|military
|work
Ejemplos
- The government auctioned off surplus military vehicles.
- A new store opened downtown selling army surplus clothing.
- The company donates its surplus computers to local schools.
- They bought surplus office furniture at a discount.
- The charity relies on surplus goods from supermarkets.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The army sold its surplus uniforms.
- We bought cheap chairs from a surplus store.
- The school got surplus computers from a big company.
- The shop sells surplus food that supermarkets do not want.
- He works at a store that sells army surplus.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
surplus
AFI
GB/sˈɚpləs/
US/sˈɚpləs/
Sílabas y acento
sur - plus (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (sur)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: surplus
- Plural: surpluses
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
budget surplus
1/bˈʌd͡ʒɪt sˈɚpləs/
fixed phrase
more income than spending in budget
A situation where a government or organization gets more money than it spends in a planned period.
Ejemplos
- The finance minister was proud to announce a budget surplus for the second year in a row.
- The city used its budget surplus to improve public transport.
- After years of cuts, the small budget surplus came as a surprise.
run a surplus
1/ɹˈʌn ə sˈɚpləs/
fixed phrase
have more income than spending
To have more money coming in than going out over a period of time, especially in a budget.
Ejemplos
- The government aims to run a surplus within five years.
- Most non‑profit organizations try not to run a large surplus.
- If we cut unnecessary costs, we might run a surplus next quarter.
surplus to requirements
1/sˈɚpləs tə ɹɪkwˈaɪɹmənts/
idiom
no longer needed or wanted
Not needed because there are too many people or things for the job or purpose.
Ejemplos
- After the reorganization, several managers were declared surplus to requirements.
- The old printers are now surplus to requirements and will be sold off.
- He suddenly found himself surplus to requirements after the new software was introduced.
trade surplus
1/tɹˈeɪd sˈɚpləs/
fixed phrase
technical
exports greater than imports
A situation where a country sells more goods and services to other countries than it buys from them.
Ejemplos
- The country’s large trade surplus has become a source of tension with its trading partners.
- Rising car exports helped the nation maintain a healthy trade surplus.
- Economists expect the trade surplus to shrink as imports grow.