glut
C1Formal or semi-formal; common in analytical writing, journalism, and economics.
Definition
Meaning
An excessively large supply or amount of something, more than is needed or can be used.
1. To supply or fill with something to excess; to flood a market. 2. A situation of being overly full or satiated, often used in economic, biological, or sensory contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a negative consequence of oversupply, such as a drop in price, waste, or loss of value. Can be used literally (food) or figuratively (information).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally applicable in both varieties.
Connotations
Universally negative, suggesting imbalance, waste, or market inefficiency.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American economic/business journalism, but the difference is minimal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
There is/was a glut of [NOUN]The market is glutted with [NOUN]To glut the market with [NOUN]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “glut oneself on/with something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to an oversupply of a commodity leading to falling prices (e.g., 'an oil glut').
Academic
Used in economics, agriculture, and environmental studies to discuss resource distribution and market failures.
Everyday
Can describe an overwhelming amount of something (e.g., 'a glut of television shows').
Technical
In medicine/biology, can refer to excessive intake of nutrients or a metabolic state.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The decision could glut the European gas market.
- Farmers glutted the shops with cheap strawberries.
American English
- The new factories glutted the market with cheap goods.
- We glutted ourselves on Halloween candy.
adjective
British English
- The glut market for wheat is causing concern.
- Glut conditions prevailed.
American English
- The glut market for apartments drove rents down.
- Glut times for oil producers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the good harvest, there was a glut of apples.
- The shop had a glut of old magazines.
- A glut of new housing has caused property prices to fall.
- The market is currently glutted with cheap imports from abroad.
- The global oil glut of the 2010s reshaped geopolitical alliances.
- Policymakers warned against allowing the market to become glutted with sovereign debt.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GLUTton eating until they are too full. A GLUT is when the market has eaten too much of a supply.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARKETS ARE CONTAINERS (that can be overfilled). INFORMATION/GOODS ARE LIQUIDS (that can flood).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'глотка' (throat). The Russian conceptual equivalent is 'переизбыток' or 'завал' (in informal contexts). 'Излишек' is a closer, more neutral synonym.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'glut' as a positive term (it is negative/neutral-negative). Confusing it with 'gulf'. Incorrect preposition: 'glut in' instead of 'glut of'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'glut' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it carries a negative or problematic connotation of having too much of something, leading to waste or devaluation. A neutral term like 'abundance' or 'plenty' would be used for positive contexts.
Yes, though less common than the noun form. As a verb, it means 'to supply or fill to excess' (e.g., 'to glut the market') or 'to eat or indulge to excess' (e.g., 'to glut oneself').
They are close synonyms, but 'glut' is stronger and more negative, implying the excess is problematic or damaging. A 'surplus' can be planned or managed (e.g., a budget surplus).
Yes, etymologically. Both come from Latin 'gluttire' meaning 'to swallow'. A 'glutton' is someone who swallows/eats to excess, and a 'glut' is an excess that is, metaphorically, swallowed by the market.
Explore