Question

Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite in the meaning of the given word:
DEFICIT
a. Superfluous
b. Surplus
c. Explicit
d. Implicit

Answer 1

Hint: Deficit means to be lacking in something. We have to find the meaning opposite to it.

Complete answer: If deficit means to be lacking or to be less than required, its opposite would mean to be excessive. Let us see which of the given options means ‘excessive’.
Option a is superfluous. Superfluous when something is very unnecessary. A superfluous costume for a birthday party means a costume which is too fancy for a birthday party.
Option b is surplus. Surplus means when something is excessive in quantity. They had surplus grains in the storage boxes. They kept the surplus water in the pots. The surplus soup was thrown away.
Option c is explicit. If I explicitly state that I want a chocolate cake for my birthday, it means I am stating very clearly that the cake I want should be of chocolate and not some other flavour. To state something explicitly means to be very clear about it so as to leave no doubt in the minds of others.
Option d is implicit. Implicit means to be implied, that is, to not be specifically expressed. I was implicit in my action that I wanted a birthday party by mentioning my birthdate repeatedly. This means I’m not clearly saying that I want a birthday party but I am mentioning my birth date to imply that I would be excited for a birthday party.
Now that we know all the meanings, we can see that the correct option is b, surplus. Thus, the opposite of deficit is surplus.

Note: Students may be confused between surplus and superfluous. Superfluous though means excessive, it usually means excessive in terms of being unnecessary. Something superfluous can be avoided, but something surplus is something which is extra and it is usually not by choice. Superfluous is not the opposite of deficit.