What does surfeiting mean?
Surfeiting means consuming or experiencing something to an excessive degree, particularly food, drink, pleasure, or other sensory indulgence. The word suggests not merely abundance but a point at which further indulgence becomes excessive or less satisfying. It can also describe a person, place, or organization that has more of something than it can use, as in a company “surfeiting in resources.” The expression is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, so it is more common in formal writing, journalism, and figurative language than in casual speech. Its defining contrast is between an abundance that satisfies and an abundance that produces glut or satiation. In this sense, surfeiting captures the idea that having too much can be as undesirable as having too little.
verbTo consume or experience an excessive amount of something, especially food, drink, or pleasure. It can also mean to have more than is needed or desirable.
- To consume or experience an excessive amount of something, especially food, drink, or pleasure.
- To have an excessive amount of something available or available to one.
- To act as if one has consumed or experienced too much of something.
"The celebrants continued surfeiting themselves with food and drink long after the meal had ended."
"The children surfeited on sweets during the festival."
"Years of commercial success left the company surfeiting in resources and lacking meaningful challenges."
Surfeiting turns abundance into excess: the more one indulges, the less pleasure the indulgence may bring.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of surfeiting
The word comes from Old French surfeit, meaning excess or superfluity, and ultimately from Latin. Its development is associated with the Latin roots for “enough” and “to make,” reflecting the idea of something beyond what is sufficient. The related English words sufficient, surplus, and saturate belong to a broader semantic family concerned with abundance, fullness, and excess.
Related word forms
How surfeiting is actually used
Surfeiting is literary and somewhat formal, and usually carries a negative or ironic connotation. It is used more often in writing than in everyday conversation.