supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

: serving to supplement

2

: nonscheduled

a supplemental airline

supplemental noun

Synonyms of supplemental

• auxiliary
• additional
• supplementary
• accessory
• peripheral

Examples of supplemental in a Sentence

She receives a supplemental income every month from the government.

the new program will provide supplemental health insurance to thousands of workers

Recent Examples on the Web

Too much supplemental magnesium can cause side effects and interact with certain medications. — Kirstyn Hill, Health, 14 July 2026

The latest revision of the bill would authorize the supplemental payments as a one-year program, instead of recurring annual checks as envisioned in the first draft. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Math learning materials can be part of your child’s current math instruction or provide supplemental practice to improve concept mastery. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026

Now, Graf plans to climb mountains that were off-limits before, even with supplemental oxygen. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

supplement entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for supplemental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Medical Definition

supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ᵊl 

: serving to supplement : supplementary

Legal Definition

supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈment-ᵊl 

: serving to complete or make an addition

supplemental appropriations

specifically : of, relating to, or being a supplemental pleading

supplemental noun