surcharge

1 of 2

verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

surcharged; surcharging; surcharges

transitive verb

1

a

: overcharge

b

: to charge an extra fee

c

: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given

2

British : overstock

3

: to fill or load to excess

the atmosphere … was surcharged with war hysteria

—H. A. Chippendale

4

a

: to mark a surcharge on (a stamp)

b

: overprint

surcharge a banknote

surcharge

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an additional tax, cost, or impost

b

: an extra fare

a sleeping car surcharge

c

: an instance of surcharging an account

2

: an excessive load or burden

3

: the action of surcharging : the state of being surcharged

4

a(1)

: an overprint on a stamp

specifically : one that alters the denomination

(2)

: a stamp bearing such an overprint

b

: an overprint on a currency note

Did you know?

The Arab oil embargo of 1973 led airlines to add fuel surcharges to their passenger fares that were large enough to discourage air travel. Surcharges are usually added for special service. When you request a "rush job" from a service supplier, it will probably bring a surcharge along with it. A particularly difficult phone installation may carry a surcharge. An extra-large fine for a speeding offense after you've already had too many tickets could be called a surcharge. An added tax may be called a surcharge (or surtax) when it only affects people with incomes above a certain level. And if those low, low prices that show up in really big letters in ads for all kinds of services turn out to be misleading, it's probably because they don't include a bunch of surcharges that you won't find out about till later.

Synonyms

Verb

• gouge
• overcharge
• soak
• sting

Examples of surcharge in a Sentence

Verb

contends that with the present tax structure, the state's lower-income residents are being surcharged and the wealthiest residents are getting off too lightly

Noun

The airline has added a $20 fuel surcharge on all international flights.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Robins said the company considered multiple different options before settling on the winnings surcharge. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 2 Aug. 2024

Homeowners would not be surcharged for commercial losses. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2024

Noun

FedEx Home delivers packages 150 pounds or less to residences every day of the week (with a $5.15 residential surcharge per package). —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Incredibly, leading civic and business groups have joined unions in calling for even higher taxes, including more city levies and a state income tax surcharge to address Illinois’ unfathomable pension debt. —Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French surcharger, from sur- + charger to load, charge — more at charge entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

1

a

: overcharge sense 1

b

: to charge an extra fee

2

: overload entry 1

3

: to mark a new value or a surcharge on a stamp

surcharge

2 of 2 noun

1

: an additional tax or charge

2

: a burden that is too great

3

a

: a mark on top of a stamp that changes the value

b

: a stamp bearing such a mark

Legal Definition

surcharge

1 of 2 transitive verb

sur·​charge ˈsər-ˌchärj 

1

: to impose a surcharge on

surcharge a trustee for failing to exercise due care

2

: to show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given

surcharge

2 of 2 noun

1

: an additional or excessive charge

2

: a penalty imposed on a fiduciary for failing to exercise due care in the management of assets