supplement

The word supplement refers to something that completes or enhances something else. It adds to what already exists rather than replacing it. Think of it as an extra helping, a boost, or a targeted addition designed to improve a situation.

You're probably most familiar with supplements in the context of health and nutrition. Vitamin C is often taken as a supplement to a healthy diet, providing specific nutrients your body might not get in sufficient quantities from food alone. But the word isn't limited to the pharmacy aisle!

It can also refer to financial additions, such as a supplemental paycheck from a part-time job. In education, supplementary materials like workbooks or online resources are used to supplement the main textbook, providing extra practice or alternative explanations.

Figuratively, to supplement means to add something to improve or complete a project or idea. For instance, "She supplemented her research with interviews from local experts," or, "He supplemented his savings by selling some of his old possessions." The key takeaway is that a supplement is not the "main event"—it is the vital addition that makes the main thing better, fills in the gaps, and provides extra support.