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

Pregnant women in rural and low-income communities could benefit from subsidies for fresh produce, or supplemental nutrition assistance. —Alex Crisp, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026

Traditional Medicare has significant out-of-pocket costs, and those without supplemental insurance can face bills that eat up a large share of limited retirement income. —Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026

Hardy geraniums grow in USDA Zones 4 to 8 in average soil with little supplemental watering except during drought. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026

Some argue our millage rate is higher than our neighboring cities, but this is because Delray does not impose supplemental assessments for public safety. —Delores Rangel, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 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