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

Several supplementary online exhibitions let visitors browse some of the collection digitally. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026

Pills and gel capsules Many people incorporate elderberries into their diets as supplementary pills or lozenges. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2026

The sleeping surface measures 82 inches (208 cm) long and is widened via slim supplementary cushions to 57 inches (145 cm) at the head by the doors, tapering to 50 inches (127 cm) at the foot between the wheel wells. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026

In 2024, Purja became the fastest person to summit all 14 of the peaks without supplementary oxygen. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 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