supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

: serving to supplement

2

: nonscheduled

a supplemental airline

supplemental noun

Synonyms

• accessorial
• accessory
• appurtenant
• auxiliary
• peripheral
• supplementary

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

Connecticut’s Department of Agriculture believes the block grant option gives the state more flexibility for specialty crop operations, especially since the supplemental disaster funds might not cover many of the farmers and producers in Connecticut. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025

Studies show dietary and supplemental magnesium may help lower blood pressure. —Laura Schober, Health, 12 June 2025

Native to Texas and adjacent areas of Mexico, plants rarely require supplemental irrigation and thrive in poor soils including sand, clay, and rocky sites. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 June 2025

The combination of direct payments from schools, supplemental NIL deals from boosters, and conflicting state laws will create a convoluted system that’s even more ripe for exploitation. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 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