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

The board is also sending nonpartisan teams to deliver the supplemental ballots to voters unable to visit the board’s office due to travel, illness or other issues, Ealom said. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

Early mistakes, poorly attended initial events, or outreach strategies that fall flat may become part of a story about iteration and growth that shapes their personal statement or supplemental essays. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

In the second year, many trees and shrubs require supplemental watering once a week during dry weather. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 July 2026

Questions over whether autonomous vehicles and weapons are handy supplemental tools or disruptive innovations are in keeping with a long-running debate over what constitutes a revolution in military affairs. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 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