Oversupply: meaning, definitions and examples

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oversupply

 

[ˌoʊvərsəˈplaɪ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

economics

An excess of supply over demand in a market, leading to lower prices and surplus of goods or services.

Synonyms

excess supply, glut, surplus.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
oversupply

Refers to a situation where the supply of a product exceeds its demand, typically used in economic and business contexts.

  • The market experienced an oversupply of oil this year, which caused prices to drop.
  • Farmers faced financial losses due to the oversupply of wheat.
surplus

Generally denotes an amount that is more than what is needed, with a relatively neutral connotation, can be used in various contexts from economics to everyday life.

  • The charity distributed the food surplus among the community.
  • The company announced a surplus in its quarterly budget.
glut

Implies an overabundance of something, often with a negative connotation, suggesting that the excess amount is problematic.

  • There is a glut of unsold cars in the dealership.
  • The tech industry is facing a glut of overqualified candidates.
excess supply

Describes an economic condition where the quantity supplied of a good is more than the quantity demanded, often used in formal economic analysis.

  • The company must address the issue of excess supply to avoid waste.
  • Policy changes were suggested to correct the excess supply in the housing market.

Examples of usage

  • There was an oversupply of oil in the market, causing prices to plummet.
  • The oversupply of housing in the area led to a decrease in property prices.

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Oversupply can lead to lower prices for goods, as sellers try to sell more by making things cheaper.
  • It often occurs in markets where production is high, but demand has decreased, leading to excess stock.
  • In agriculture, oversupply can cause farmers to waste food if there are not enough buyers.

Market Trends

  • The dot-com bubble of the late 1990s is an example where oversupply in technology stocks led to a market crash.
  • In fashion, seasonal oversupply can lead to heavy discounts and reduced brand value.
  • The real estate market has faced oversupply, leading to homes sitting unsold and decreased property values.

Environmental Impact

  • Oversupply in production can lead to waste, as unsold goods often end up in landfills.
  • Excessive production in industries like textiles contributes to overconsumption and environmental strain.
  • Sustainable practices encourage managing supply to avoid oversupply and reduce ecological impact.

Psychology

  • When consumers see too many choices (oversupply), it can lead to decision fatigue, making it harder to choose.
  • Paradoxically, having too many options can lower satisfaction with the ultimate choice made.
  • Oversupply can create a feeling of overwhelming abundance, potentially leading to anxiety in consumers.

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, different civilizations have faced oversupply challenges during times of war or economic recession.
  • The Great Depression saw massive agricultural oversupply, contributing to economic turmoil.
  • During the post-World War II era, certain industries faced oversupply as production ramped up too quickly for consumer demand.

Translations

Translations of the word "oversupply" in other languages:

🇵🇹 excesso de oferta

🇮🇳 अधिक आपूर्ति

🇩🇪 Überangebot

🇮🇩 kelebihan pasokan

🇺🇦 надлишок пропозиції

🇵🇱 nadpodaż

🇯🇵 供給過剰

🇫🇷 surplus d'offre

🇪🇸 exceso de oferta

🇹🇷 arz fazlası

🇰🇷 공급 과잉

🇸🇦 زيادة العرض

🇨🇿 přebytek nabídky

🇸🇰 prebytok ponuky

🇨🇳 供应过剩

🇸🇮 presežna ponudba

🇮🇸 ofgnótt framboðs

🇰🇿 артық ұсыныс

🇬🇪 მეტისმეტი მიწოდება

🇦🇿 təklifin artıqlığı

🇲🇽 exceso de oferta

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,043, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.