Surcharge Meaning
/ˈsɜːt͡ʃɑːd͡ʒ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn addition of extra charge on the agreed, stated, or baseline price.
nounThe part of the price of a subsidized good or service that is not covered by the subsidy and so must be paid by the consumer.
Sentence Examples
Will there be a surcharge?
This train has a surcharge of three euros.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The airline decided to ____ passengers an extra fee for checked luggage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There is a small ____ for using a credit card to pay for your tickets at the local cinema today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French surcharge, from Old French. By surface analysis, sur- + charge. Doublet of supercharge.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A Numerous Nobility, cauſet Pouerty, and Inconuenience in a State: For it is a Surcharge of Expence;"
— 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Nobility. XIIII.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 73:
"My heauy hart I feare will breake in twaine,
Surcharged with a heauie loade of thoughts."
— 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I:
"Your head reclin’d, (as hiding grief from view,) / Droops, like a Roſe ſurcharg’d with morning Dew."
— 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, Act III, page 33:
"The threat was soon fulfilled; the evening came on, prematurely darkened by clouds that seemed surcharged with a deluge."
— 1820, [Charles Robert Maturin], Melmoth the Wanderer: A Tale. […], volume I, Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Company, and Hurst, Robinson, and Co., […], →OCLC, page 150:
"The first, on January 1, 1883, was attributed to the overlay becoming surcharged with water, due to insufficient drainage, and causing a slip."
— 1943 March and April, “A British Avalanche Shelter”, in Railway Magazine, page 80:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The airline decided to ____ passengers an extra fee for checked luggage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
There is a small ____ for using a credit card to pay for your tickets at the local cinema today.