Definition
Surfeit refers to an excessive amount of something that is more than what is needed or desired, often leading to feelings of disgust or discomfort. It can also describe consuming too much food or drink to the point of feeling sick.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Surfeit can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the excessive amount of something, and as a verb, it means to indulge excessively in something, usually food or drink.
Synonyms
Excess, overabundance, saturation, glut, plethora, overindulgence, extravagance, overconsumption, superfluity, overkill.
Antonyms
Deficiency, scarcity, inadequacy, underconsumption, shortage, want, need, deprivation, insufficiency.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | surfeit, surfeits |
| Verb | surfeit, surfeits, surfeiting, surfeited |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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After the holiday feast, she had a surfeit of food and couldn’t eat for the rest of the day.
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The market was saturated with low-quality products, leading to a surfeit of choices but not much of value to buy.
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The constant indulgence in sugary foods led to a surfeit of cavities for the young boy.
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He had a surfeit of alcoholic beverages at the party last night, and now he is suffering from a terrible headache.
Usage
The word “surfeit” can be used in a variety of contexts to describe an excessive amount of something that is more than what is needed or desired. It can be used to describe a variety of situations, from having too much food to having too many choices or possessions. Often, the word surfeit is used to describe negative situations, such as overindulgence or extravagance.
The word “surfeit” can be used on its own as a noun or a verb, or it can be used with a prefix or suffix to create additional meanings. Some common variations include “oversurfeit,” which describes an even greater excess than normal, and “undersurfeit,” which describes a situation where there is not enough of something.
The word “surfeit” is derived from the Old French word “surfaire,” which means “to overdo” or “to overcharge.” It is related to the Latin term “superfacere,” which means “to make excessive” or “to exceed.” The related term “surfeited” means “overindulged” or “sick from too much of something.”
Overall, the word “surfeit” is a useful way to describe situations in which there is too much of something, whether that something is food, possessions, or options. It can be used to convey a negative connotation, suggesting that excess can lead to negative consequences such as discomfort, nausea or guilt. Whether used alone or with a prefix or suffix, the word “surfeit” is an effective way to describe situations of excess and indulgence.