surplus
An extra amount of something that is not needed because you already have enough.
An amount that is more than is needed or used, remaining after all necessary needs or demands have been met.
Money left over when a government, company, or person gets more money than they spend in a certain time.
The amount by which income or revenue is greater than spending in a particular budget period, especially for a government or organization.
When a country sells more goods and services to other countries than it buys from them, measured in money.
The amount by which the value of a country's exports is greater than the value of its imports over a particular period.
Extra and not needed, because there is already enough.
More than is needed or wanted; extra or not required.
Things, like goods or equipment, that an organization does not need anymore and usually sells or gives away.
Goods, equipment, or other tangible items that are no longer needed and are usually sold off, given away, or destroyed.
- Base: surplus
- Plural: surpluses
budget surplus
1more income than spending in budget
A situation where a government or organization gets more money than it spends in a planned period.
- 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
1have more income than spending
To have more money coming in than going out over a period of time, especially in a budget.
- 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
1no longer needed or wanted
Not needed because there are too many people or things for the job or purpose.
- 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
1exports greater than imports
A situation where a country sells more goods and services to other countries than it buys from them.
- 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.