supplement
B2Neutral to formal. Common in academic, business, nutritional, and publishing contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
An additional section of a publication; a substance taken to enhance diet or health; an extra charge for additional services.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies an addition to something already complete or adequate in itself. Focuses on enhancing or compensating, not replacing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. In publishing contexts, 'supplement' is standard in both. In nutrition, 'dietary supplement' is universal.
Connotations
Neutral. Can imply necessity (compensating for a lack) or luxury (enhancing something already good).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
supplement something with somethingsupplement something by doing somethingbe supplemented by somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The supplement to the rulebook clarified the new regulations.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
An additional payment or benefit added to a base salary or contract.
Academic
Additional material published with a journal or added to a research paper.
Everyday
A pill or powder taken to improve health or diet.
Technical
In agriculture, feed additives for livestock; in law, an additional document.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The newspaper's travel supplement comes out on Fridays.
- She takes an iron supplement on her GP's advice.
American English
- The weekend edition includes a real estate supplement.
- Athletes often use protein supplements.
verb
British English
- He supplements his pension by doing consultancy work.
- The report is supplemented with detailed appendices.
American English
- She supplements her income with freelance gigs.
- The textbook is supplemented by an online resource center.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I take a vitamin supplement every morning.
- The magazine has a supplement about cars.
- You can supplement your diet with more fresh fruit.
- The salary includes a housing supplement.
- The research was supplemented by data from recent surveys.
- The government introduced a child benefit supplement.
- The findings of the initial study were supplemented by longitudinal data, providing a more comprehensive analysis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SUPPLY + EMENT. A supplement SUPPLIES something extra you MENTion as needed.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PATCH or FILLER for a gap; an ENHANCER for a foundation.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'добавка' in all contexts (too general). For a publication, use 'приложение'. For salary, 'надбавка'. Avoid direct calque 'супплемент'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'supplement' as a verb without 'with' (e.g., 'He supplements his income *by* freelance work'). Confusing 'complement' (goes well with) vs. 'supplement' (adds to).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'supplement' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can have 'a supplement', 'two supplements'.
'Supplement' adds something extra to make up for a deficiency. 'Complement' adds something that completes or goes perfectly with something else.
Yes, commonly. It means to add something extra to something. E.g., 'supplement your income'.
A product taken orally that contains a 'dietary ingredient' (like vitamins, herbs) intended to supplement the diet.