Oversupply: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.