Words / C2

SURF-it/ˈsɜːfɪt/

A surfeit is an excessive amount, more than is needed or healthy: a surfeit of choice, surfeit of praise. Too much is everyday; excess is the close noun. Superfluous (already in the dictionary) is extra and unused — a cousin of waste, not always of glut. Satiate (this batch) is the verb of filling past comfort. Do not treat a surfeit of logos as a spare invigilator.

Meaning

An excessive amount of something, especially more than is needed or healthy.

Examples

• “A surfeit of logos is not a spare invigilator.”
• “Too much is everyday. Excess is close. Superfluous is unnecessary extra (already in C2). Surplus is leftover stock (already in the dictionary). One dated post on the rota is cover. A reel of marks that never names the night person is glut. Cut the frosting; keep the deputy.”

Good to know

Too much; an excess. Everyday: too much. Close: excess. Contrast: superfluous (unused extra — already in C2). Cousin verb: satiate (this batch). Logos ≠ a night post.

Near in meaning

excess

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