Etymology Map
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Surplus

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means an amount left over

Where does the word "surplus" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin superplus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
superplus
Medieval Latin · medieval
"excess"
Medieval Latin 'super', over, plus 'plus', more
2
Stage 2 of 3
surplus
Old French · medieval
"excess"
an amount left over
3
Stage 3 of 3
surplus
English · 1300s
"excess"
'army surplus' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Surplus’s story begins in Medieval Latin: superplus meant “excess.” Medieval Latin 'super', over, plus 'plus', more. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as surplus. An amount left over. It reached English by 1300s as surplus. 'army surplus' dates from the 1900s. Today, surplus means an amount left over.