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Sufficient vs Surplus - What's the difference?

sufficient | surplus |

As adjectives the difference between sufficient and surplus

is that sufficient is equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as while surplus is being or constituting a surplus; more than sufficient; as, surplus revenues; surplus population; surplus words.

As a determiner sufficient

is the smallest amount needed.

As a noun surplus is

that which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus.

sufficient

English

(Webster 1913)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as,
    • We have provision sufficient for the family
    This army is sufficient to defend the country.
    There is not sufficient access to the internet in the some small country villages.
  • Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.
    • A two-week training course is sufficient to get a job in the coach-driving profession.
  • (archaic) Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
  • * 1668 , (Samuel Pepys), December 23 1668
    • ...to take the best ways we can, to make it known to the Duke of York; for, till Sir J. Minnes be removed, and a sufficient man brought into W. Pen's place, when he is gone, it is impossible for this Office ever to support itself.
  • self-sufficient; self-satisfied; content.

    • Derived terms

    * self-sufficient * sufficiency * sufficiently

    Related terms

    * suffice

    See also

    * adequate * ample * enough * plenty

    Determiner

    (en determiner)
  • The smallest amount needed.
    • Sufficient of us are against this idea that we should stop now.

    Statistics

    *

    External links

    * * * ----

    surplus

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • That which remains when use or need is satisfied, or when a limit is reached; excess; overplus.
  • Specifically, an amount in the public treasury at any time greater than is required for the ordinary purposes of the government.
  • (legal) The remainder of a fund appropriated for a particular purpose.
  • (legal) assets left after liabilities and debts, including capital stock have been deducted.

    • Antonyms

    * lack * deficit

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Being or constituting a surplus; more than sufficient; as, surplus revenues; surplus population; surplus words.
  • * {{quote-magazine, title=A better waterworks, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838
    • , page=5 (Technology Quarterly), magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.}}