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

If Secord can’t take in enough calories or water, she may be placed in a medical habitat providing supplemental fluids, electrolytes and medication. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

With guidance from veterinarians, Spagis said the rescue can provide wound care, administer medications and fluids, regulate cats’ body temperatures, and supply supplemental oxygen. — Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Private insurance would be supplemental to the government program. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Sep. 2026

The company is also offering supplemental guides and chip pages for a limited time so existing customers can update their collections without replacing them in full. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 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