Definitions
- Referring to food that remains uneaten after a meal. - Talking about something that is remaining or left behind after an event or activity. - Describing something that is unused or unneeded after a process or task is completed.
- Referring to an excess amount of something beyond what is needed or required. - Talking about a situation where there is more supply than demand. - Describing a situation where there are more resources or goods available than necessary.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to an excess or remaining amount of something.
- 2Both can be used to describe food or resources.
- 3Both words suggest that there is more than what is needed or required.
What is the difference?
- 1Amount: Leftover suggests a smaller amount than surplus, which implies a significant excess.
- 2Usage: Leftover implies that the item can still be used or consumed, while surplus suggests that the item is no longer needed or useful.
- 3Connotation: Leftover has a neutral or positive connotation, while surplus can have a negative connotation if it implies waste or inefficiency.
- 4Application: Leftover is more commonly used in everyday language, while surplus is more technical and formal.
Remember this!
Leftover and surplus both refer to an excess or remaining amount of something. However, leftover is typically used to describe food or items that can still be used or consumed, while surplus is more commonly used in business or economic contexts to describe an excess amount of resources or goods that are no longer needed or useful.
