What does surcharge mean?
A surcharge is an extra amount of money added to an existing price or fee. The term is widely used for charges that accompany another payment, such as a fuel surcharge on an airline ticket, a service surcharge in a hotel, or an additional fee applied to a financial account. As a verb, surcharge means to impose that extra amount. The word generally suggests a formally stated or officially imposed charge, but it can also carry the broader implication of an unusually heavy additional burden, as in “the proposal surcharges small businesses with unnecessary requirements.” Unlike a discount, which reduces the original amount, a surcharge increases it. It is distinct from a tax in that it may be levied by a particular company or service rather than by a government, although the distinction is not absolute.
An additional amount charged on top of an existing price, fee, or payment.
"Customers were informed that a temporary surcharge would apply to all orders."
Common in commercial, financial, transport, and public-service contexts.
To impose an additional charge on a price, fee, payment, or service.
"The company surcharged customers for expedited delivery."
Usually transitive; the thing charged is the object of the verb.
The plural form refers to additional charges or to instances of charging an extra amount.
"The airline waived several surcharges during the disruption."
From the French surcharger, literally “to load on top,” a surcharge is an extra amount piled onto what you already owe.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surcharge come from?
The English word was borrowed from French surcharger, literally “to load on top.” French surcharger combines the prefix sur-, meaning “over” or “on top of,” with charger, “to load” or “to charge.” The English noun and verb developed from this French source and have been in use since the 16th century. Related English words such as charge and discharge come from the same broader Latin root, while supercharge and overcharge are later formations built on that root.
Related word forms
How surcharge is actually used
The word is formal and is especially common in business, travel, finance, and public services. It often implies an extra charge that is specified or imposed in addition to a standard rate.
Easily confused with surcharge
A surcharge is an extra charge added to an existing amount, whereas a supplement can also be an additional item or provision that fills a gap or extends coverage.