WordGarden.iosupplementary
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˌʌplɪmˈɛntəri/
US
- /ˌsəpləˈmɛnəri/
Meanings
Adjective
added as an extra to complete or support something
of two angles, adding up to 180 degrees
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGO pieces. You have your main structure, but sometimes you need extra pieces—maybe a little roof detail or some wheels—to make it even better. Those extra pieces are supplementary. They add to what is already there, supporting and enhancing the original thing.
Supplementary materials are often used to help you understand a subject more fully. Think of supplementary reading for a class: the main textbook gives you the basics, and the extra reading helps you learn more. The word also applies to extra help or extra money. For example, a supplementary income is money earned in addition to your main salary to help cover costs or build savings.
The word "supplementary" describes something that adds to, completes, or supports something else—an addition, not a replacement. Think of vitamins: they are supplementary to a healthy diet, meaning they provide extra nutrients but do not replace the need for real food.
This concept applies across many different fields. In education, supplementary materials like workbooks or online resources add to the main course materials. In finance, a supplementary budget is extra money added to the original budget to cover unexpected expenses. There is also a specific use in mathematics: supplementary angles are two angles that, when put together, add up to exactly 180 degrees.
The key idea is that something supplementary extends what already exists. It is like adding frosting to a cake—the cake is fine on its own, but the frosting adds something extra. You might also hear about "supplementary evidence" in a legal case, which means extra proof that supports the main argument. In general, if something brings added help, support, or information to make something more complete, it is supplementary.
Examples
- 1
Course materials
The course includes supplementary videos that you can watch after each lesson.
- 2
Background reading
Please read the supplementary chapter if you want more background on the topic.
- 3
Research data
The report was published with supplementary data online.
- 4
Income
Many retirees look for supplementary income by working part-time.
- Phrasesupplementary income
extra money in addition to your main income
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Added support
These safety checks are supplementary to the standard inspection, not a replacement for it.
- Patternsupplementary to + main thing
added to it, not used instead of it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- supplementary material
- supplementary information
- supplementary evidence
- supplementary income
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- supplementaryadjective