supplementary

adjective

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

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 many fintechs still view partnerships as supplementary, an optional extra rather than a strategic pillar. Henry McIntosh, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Mega Millions Player Wins $349M Lottery Prize as Game Announces Big Changes Oz Lotto involves seven winning numbers and three supplementary numbers picked from one lottery draw barrel of 47 numbers. David Chiu, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Members benefit from access to the latest exam questions and supplementary course materials, all designed to facilitate effective learning and exam preparation. Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025 Save the data deep dives for supplementary materials or in support of audience questions that arise. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for supplementary

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplementary was in 1667

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supplementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplementary. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on supplementary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!