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

In Colombia, for example, according to supplementary data in the study, people drank an estimated 17 servings of sugary drinks each week – or over two 8-ounce glasses a day. —Rachel Carlson, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025

These 17 videos, which contain historical lessons about the island, complement the album and serve as supplementary reading. —Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025

The initiative, established in 1965, is intended to help them with supplementary after-school and summer programs. —Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025

Messinger would be a supplementary piece to push the deal over the top. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 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