supplementary
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
Additional; provided to complete or enhance something that already exists.
Functioning as an extra addition that compensates for a deficiency or supplements a primary source.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an adjective. Implies a subordinate, supporting role to a main or primary element. Often used in educational, nutritional, and legislative contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is consistent. Usage is more frequent in British English in formal educational contexts (e.g., 'supplementary questions' in Parliament). In American English, 'supplemental' is a common variant, especially in legal and governmental contexts (e.g., 'supplemental appropriation').
Connotations
Neutral to slightly technical. In both varieties, it carries a formal, official tone.
Frequency
More common in British English. 'Supplemental' is preferred in specific American legal and budgetary terminology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
supplementary to [noun]supplementary [noun] (e.g., supplementary funding)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Supplementary question (Parliamentary procedure)”
- “Supplementary vote (voting system)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to additional reports, budgets, or income streams (e.g., 'The board requested supplementary financial projections').
Academic
Describes additional reading materials, research data, or information (e.g., 'Supplementary datasets are available online').
Everyday
Used for extra items like vitamins or pension payments (e.g., 'She takes a supplementary vitamin D tablet in winter').
Technical
In mathematics and engineering, refers to angles adding to 180° or additional components in a system.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (rare as verb). To 'supplement' is the verb form.
American English
- N/A (rare as verb). To 'supplement' is the verb form.
adverb
British English
- N/A ('supplementarily' is grammatically possible but exceedingly rare and unnatural).
American English
- N/A ('supplementarily' is grammatically possible but exceedingly rare and unnatural).
adjective
British English
- The teacher provided supplementary worksheets for the advanced students.
- He receives a supplementary pension from his former employer.
American English
- The report includes a supplementary appendix with all the raw data.
- Congress approved a supplemental spending bill for disaster relief.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have one supplementary question.
- Here is some supplementary reading.
- The museum guide offers supplementary information on its audio tour.
- You may need to take supplementary vitamins if you have a deficiency.
- The judge called for supplementary evidence before making a final ruling.
- The company's annual report was published with a supplementary statement on sustainability.
- The researcher appended a voluminous supplementary bibliography to her thesis.
- Parliamentary procedure allows for brief supplementary questions following the minister's main response.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUPPLY being added MENTALLY (in the mind) to remember something – it's an extra piece of information supplied to complete your understanding.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PATCH or FILLER (something added to cover a gap or weakness in the primary structure).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'дополнительный' where 'additional' or 'extra' is more natural in casual speech. 'Supplementary' is more formal.
- Do not confuse with 'complementary' (which completes harmoniously) – 'supplementary' simply adds more.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'suplementary' (missing one 'p').
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'extra' would suffice.
- Confusing 'supplementary angles' (sum to 180°) with 'complementary angles' (sum to 90°).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'supplementary' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Supplementary' means 'added to complete or make up for a deficiency.' 'Complementary' means 'combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other's qualities.' Supplementary adds quantity; complementary adds harmonious quality.
Yes, 'supplemental' is a correct variant, particularly in American English in legal, governmental, and technical contexts (e.g., supplemental insurance, supplemental appropriation). 'Supplementary' is more common overall, especially in British English.
Rarely. It is primarily an adjective. The noun form is 'supplement.' In specific fixed phrases like 'the supplementaries' (referring to supplementary parliamentary questions), it can function nominally, but this is highly context-bound.
A common mistake is overusing this formal word in everyday contexts where simpler words like 'extra' or 'additional' are more natural and appropriate.
Collections
Part of a collection
Precise Descriptive Language
C2 · 17 words · Highly precise adjectives and descriptors.