Supplementary Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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supplementary

[หŒsสŒplษชหˆmษ›nt(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

education

Providing additional help or support, especially in an educational context.

Synonyms

additional, extra, further.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supplementary

Used when something is meant to complete or enhance something else, often in an academic or formal context.

  • The professor provided supplementary materials to help students understand the topic better
  • The supplementary budget was approved to fund new projects
additional

Used when something is added to what is already present, often in a neutral or generally applicable context.

  • We need additional information before making a decision
  • The company hired additional staff to handle the workload
extra

Used when something is beyond the usual or necessary amount, often in informal or conversational settings.

  • Do you have any extra pens I could borrow? He put in extra effort to finish the project early
further

Used when more of something is required or provided, often in the context of distance, time, or information.

  • If you have any further questions, please contact us
  • We need further evidence to support the claim

Examples of usage

  • Supplementary materials were provided to help the students prepare for the exam.
  • The school offers supplementary tutoring for students who need extra help.
Context #2 | Noun

nutrition

A dietary supplement, especially one containing vitamins or minerals.

Synonyms

addition, boost, supplement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
supplementary

Use 'supplementary' when referring to something that serves as an extra or addition to the main part, often in a supportive role.

  • The teacher provided supplementary materials to help us understand the lesson.
  • She took supplementary vitamins to improve her health.
supplement

Choose 'supplement' when referring to something that completes or enhances another thing when added to it.

  • She takes a daily supplement to ensure she gets enough vitamins.
  • The company offers a retirement plan supplement to its employees.
addition

Choose 'addition' when talking about adding something as an integral part to make it more complete or larger.

  • We are pleased with the new addition to our team.
  • An extra room will be built as an addition to the house.
boost

Select 'boost' to describe something that enhances or increases the effectiveness or strength of something else, often in a positive manner.

  • The new marketing strategy gave a significant boost to our sales.
  • He drank a coffee to get an energy boost.

Examples of usage

  • She takes a daily supplementary vitamin to ensure she gets all the necessary nutrients.
  • The doctor recommended a calcium supplement as a supplementary to her diet.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Supplementary materials in classrooms can include extra worksheets, videos, or books that help students understand better.
  • Supplementary instruction is designed to offer additional guidance and support in a learning environment.
  • Research shows students often perform better when provided with supplementary resources tailored to their needs.

Health and Nutrition

  • In nutrition, supplements can include vitamins or minerals taken in added form to enhance a person's diet.
  • Balanced diets often use supplementary nutrients to fill nutritional gaps, especially in specific populations like the elderly.
  • The use of dietary supplements has become a growing trend, with many people seeking to improve their wellness and health.

Legal Terminology

  • In legal contexts, supplementary arguments or filings can provide additional evidence or clarify a case further.
  • Supplementary insurance offers additional coverage beyond primary policies, helping to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Legal documents may require supplementary exhibits that support the main arguments in a case.

Business

  • Supplementary income sources can allow individuals to earn extra money in addition to their main job.
  • Businesses often provide supplementary services, such as customer support, to enhance the main product offerings.
  • In strategic planning, supplementary initiatives can help drive growth by filling market needs that the main offerings do not address.

Origin of 'supplementary'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'supplementum', meaning 'something added', related to 'supplemere', which means 'to fill up'.
  • In English, the word started being used in the late 14th century to describe additional items or helps.
  • It is also associated with the root 'supplement', which emphasizes adding to or completing.

The word 'supplementary' originated from the Latin word 'supplementarius', which means 'supplying what is lacking'. The term has been used in various contexts, including education, nutrition, and law, to denote something additional or extra. Over time, 'supplementary' has become a common term to describe anything that provides support or enhancement to an existing entity.


See also: supplementation, supplements.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,906 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.