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

• accessorial
• accessory
• appurtenant
• auxiliary
• peripheral
• supplemental

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

The supplement market in particular was one of the first to respond with complementary and supplementary products. —Emily Burns, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025

This fine comes as a supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

Researchers are also exploring it as a potential supplementary treatment for certain cancers. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2024

His 3-point shooting took a hit this season, but Dosunmu is still a highly versatile defender who the Bulls view as a supplementary trade asset. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025

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

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