supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

: serving to supplement

2

: nonscheduled

a supplemental airline

supplemental noun

Synonyms

• 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

Under his leadership, the supplemental life insurance company has grown into a $55.7 billion business with nearly $19 billion in annual revenue. —Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025

In tennis, a sport steeped in tradition where etiquette is an integral part of the game, the patches serve as supplemental branding. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Another option is to allow your lawn to move into dormancy by stopping supplemental watering. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025

Consider Medigap plans: These supplemental plans can help cover costs that original Medicare doesn’t, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2025

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