supplementary

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: added or serving as a supplement : additional

supplementary reading

2

: being or relating to a supplement (see supplement entry 1 sense 3) or a supplementary angle

Synonyms of supplementary

• auxiliary
• additional
• supplemental
• accessory

Examples of supplementary in a Sentence

a list of supplementary material for the class

the teacher's edition of the textbook comes with a lot of supplementary material

Recent Examples on the Web

Poetry and Original Spoken Word are considered supplementary events, Frazier said. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

In some parts of Hwange, natural seeps and seasonal watering holes provide supplementary water, while Wilderness helps pump water to artificial watering holes in the southeastern region of the park. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

Others are treated as supplementary. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

The council is also considering a supplementary moratorium on battery energy storage sites. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

supplement entry 1 + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supplementary

• supplementary angle

Rhymes for supplementary

• alimentary
• complimentary
• documentary
• parliamentary
• rudimentary
• sedimentary
• testamentary
• integumentary
• uncomplimentary
• unparliamentary
• interparliamentary
• metasedimentary

Kids Definition

supplementary

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: added as a supplement : additional

2

: being or relating to a supplement or a supplementary angle

Medical Definition

supplementary

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ə-rē, -ˈmen-trē 

: added or serving as a supplement

supplementary vitamins

Legal Definition

supplementary

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē, -trē 

: added or serving as a supplement