supplement
Describing something that is added to a main part to improve it, provide extra information, or make up for a deficiency. In an adjectival sense, it refers to items or actions that are secondary and supportive rather than primary.
Examples
3 of 5She takes supplement vitamins every morning to boost her immune system.
She takes additional vitamin pills daily to help her body stay healthy.
The professor provided a supplement reading list for students interested in the history of Rome.
The teacher gave an extra list of books for students who wanted to learn more about Rome.
I need to find a supplement job to pay off my student loans faster.
I need to get a second, extra job to help pay my debts more quickly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Supply'. A supplement is an extra 'Supply' of an 'Element' you need.
Quick Quiz
The athlete takes a protein _______ to help build muscle after training sessions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: supplement
Examples
She takes supplement vitamins every morning to boost her immune system.
everydayShe takes additional vitamin pills daily to help her body stay healthy.
The professor provided a supplement reading list for students interested in the history of Rome.
academicThe teacher gave an extra list of books for students who wanted to learn more about Rome.
I need to find a supplement job to pay off my student loans faster.
informalI need to get a second, extra job to help pay my debts more quickly.
The board approved a supplement budget to cover the rising costs of raw materials.
businessThe directors agreed on an additional amount of money to pay for more expensive materials.
Please refer to the supplement document attached to the end of the contract for specific clauses.
formalPlease look at the extra paper at the end of the legal agreement for more details.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
dietary supplement
a product taken by mouth that contains a dietary ingredient
supplement to
an addition made to something to complete it
supplemental information
extra data that supports a main conclusion
Often Confused With
Complement means to complete or make perfect, while supplement means to add extra to something that may already be complete.
Compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration.
Usage Notes
While 'supplemental' or 'supplementary' are the formal adjective forms, 'supplement' is frequently used as an attributive noun acting as an adjective in technical, medical, and business contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'supplement' when they mean 'complement'. Remember: a supplement is an extra 'plus', while a complement 'completes' the set.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'Supply'. A supplement is an extra 'Supply' of an 'Element' you need.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'supplere', meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, 'dietary supplements' are a massive commercial industry involving vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Quick Quiz
The athlete takes a protein _______ to help build muscle after training sessions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: supplement
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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