supplementary

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē How to pronounce supplementary (audio)
-ˈmen-trē
Synonyms of supplementary
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 of supplementary

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But that claim is difficult to reconcile with the disproportionate representation of certain groups among those deleted from supplementary lists issued for some constituencies after an adjudication process. — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026 Like other clubs, Gollancz expanded its service to additional, supplementary and educational texts, all optional. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 The space is warm and lo-fi—Polaroids of friends and a handwritten lineup of the day’s specials (which can be added at a supplementary cost) are stuck to a noticeboard—but the food is sharp and assured. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026 Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supplementary

Word History

Etymology

supplement entry 1 + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplementary was in 1667

Phrases Containing supplementary

Rhymes for supplementary

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Browse Nearby Words

supplementarily
supplementary
supplementary angle
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Cite this Entry

“Supplementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplementary. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

supplementary

adjective
sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ə-rē How to pronounce supplementary (audio)
-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 How to pronounce supplementary (audio)
: added or serving as a supplement
supplementary vitamins

Legal Definition

supplementary

adjective
sup·​ple·​men·​ta·​ry ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē, -trē How to pronounce supplementary (audio)
: added or serving as a supplement
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