Agency Dictionary
surplus
nounPronunciation: /ˈsɜːrpləs/
In Portuguese: excedente
Economics & FinanceWhat does “surplus” mean?
An amount of an asset, commodity, or resource that exceeds what is strictly utilized or demanded.
Etymology
From Middle English surplus, borrowed from Old French sorplus, composed of sur-, "over, above", and plus, "more". The French prefix sur- comes from Latin super. The word names the amount that remains after all needs have been met, and by extension anything that exceeds what is required.
Synonyms
- excess
- remainder
- glut
Usage examples
So there is a harmful surplus of Carbon Dioxide (CO²) in the atmosphere and it is increasing while you read this.
Concepts
- Carbon OffsettingCarbon offsetting is a mechanism that allows organizations to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by funding equivalent emissions reductions elsewhere. This…
- Deflationary AssetA deflationary asset is an economic holding characterized by a strictly limited or decreasing supply that tends to appreciate in purchasing power over time. As broader…
- Inflationary AssetAn inflationary asset is an economic resource whose available supply expands continuously over time through ongoing production, harvesting, or financial issuance. Because…
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Words of the same theme
- Consumernoun
- An individual or group that acquires, purchases, or consumes physical or commercial goods and services for personal use. In marketing, consumers are studied for purchasing patterns and brand preferences.
- Bailoutnoun
- An emergency provision of financial assistance to a failing company, bank, or economy to prevent insolvency.
- cinnamonnoun
- An aromatic spice obtained from the stripped inner bark of several tree species of the genus Cinnamomum.
- commoditynoun
- A basic primary good, agricultural staple, or raw material that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type.
- Corporativismnoun
- The defence of the interests of a business class or professional group above the general interest, and the culture built around it. The word also names a political and economic system organized through corporations of employers, workers and professions.
- Deficitnoun
- The amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required or expected amount, particularly when spending exceeds revenue.
- Deflationaryadjective
- Tending to cause or associated with a general and persistent decline in price levels across an economy.
- denariusnoun
- A standard silver coin in ancient Roman currency that served as the principal denomination of daily commerce and military pay.
- Emporoinoun
- Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.
- Incentivenoun
- A motivating factor, reward, or condition that incites or encourages an individual or business to take action.
Also from these editions: terms
- syntheticadjective
- Produced by artificial or chemical synthesis rather than originating from natural or organic processes.
- brokeragenoun
- The business, activity, or fee of a licensed broker who facilitates commercial transactions between buyers and sellers.
- catalystnoun
- A substance or factor that accelerates a chemical reaction or stimulates widespread systemic change without being consumed.
- deforestationnoun
- The purposeful permanent clearing of forested land for timber, agriculture, grazing, or urban infrastructure.
- fiat currencynoun
- Government-issued legal tender not backed by a physical commodity such as gold or silver.
- hydrocarbonnoun
- An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon, commonly found in petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
- intangibleadjective
- Incapable of being perceived by touch or physical senses, yet possessing recognizable economic or conceptual worth.
- mitigateverb
- To make less severe, harmful, intense, or painful in degree.
- organicadjective
- Relating to or derived from living organisms, biological matter, or systematically integrated natural systems.
- reverberateverb
- To echo repeatedly through space, or to continue having widespread ripple effects over time.
- supply chainnoun
- The complete sequence of processes, entities, and facilities involved in producing and distributing a commodity.
Also from these editions: concepts
- The Eco-Terrorist In MeThe Eco-Terrorist In Me is a song by Rise Against recommended in the Chords section of Issue.11. The author introduces it as a song from his favorite band as a teenager…
- Carbon CreditsA carbon credit is a measurable and tradeable financial instrument that represents the verified reduction or removal of one metric ton of carbon dioxide. These…
- Carbon SequestrationCarbon sequestration is the process of capturing and securing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to mitigate global climate change. It encompasses biological methods like…
- Carbon TaxationCarbon taxation is an environmental fiscal policy that levies a direct fee on the production, distribution, or combustion of fossil fuels based on their greenhouse gas…
- DecarbonizationDecarbonization is the comprehensive process of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions across industrial operations, energy systems, and commercial supply chains. It…
- Ecological TransitionThe ecological transition is the systemic structural shift of human socioeconomic models toward ecological balance, resource conservation, and minimal carbon output. It…
- Fossil Fuel DependenceFossil fuel dependence is the structural reliance of modern industrial economies on coal, petroleum, and natural gas for electrical generation, transport, and…
- Greenhouse EffectThe greenhouse effect is a natural planetary thermal process whereby atmospheric gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, warming the surface of Earth. Anthropogenic…
- Intangible AssetsIntangible assets are non-physical economic resources that hold identifiable commercial value and generate long-term competitive benefits for organizations. They…