supplement

[ noun suhp-luh-muhnt; verb suhp-luh-ment ]

noun

1. something added to complete a thing, supply a deficiency, or reinforce or extend a whole.
2. a part added to a book, document, etc., to supply additional or later information, correct errors, or the like.

   Synonyms: epilogue, addendum, postscript

3. a part, usually of special character, issued as an additional feature of a newspaper or other periodical.
4. Geometry. the quantity by which an angle or an arc falls short of 180° or a semicircle.

verb (used with object)

1. to complete, add to, or extend by a supplement.
2. to form a supplement or addition to.
3. to supply (a deficiency).

supplement

noun

1. an addition designed to complete, make up for a deficiency, etc
2. a section appended to a publication to supply further information, correct errors, etc
3. a magazine or section inserted into a newspaper or periodical, such as one with colour photographs issued every week
4. geometry
   1. either of a pair of angles whose sum is 180°
   2. an arc of a circle that when added to another arc forms a semicircle Abbreviationsupsupp

verb

1. tr to provide a supplement to, esp in order to remedy a deficiency

Derived Forms

• ˈsuppleˌmenter, noun
• ˌsupplemenˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• supple·menter noun
• un·supple·mented adjective
• well-supple·mented adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supplement¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin supplēmentum “that by which anything is made full,” equivalent to sup- sup- + plē- (stem of plēre “to fill”; full ¹ ) + -mentum -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of supplement¹

C14: from Latin supplēmentum, from supplēre to supply ¹

Synonym Study

See appendix. See complement.

Example Sentences

People starting on a health journey often turn to supplements, probably because we like buying things more than we like doing hard physical work.

From Popular-Science

Vegans who want to build significant muscle, however, may benefit from a leucine supplement, because plant-based proteins are generally lower in this amino acid than their animal-based counterparts.

From Popular-Science

Digital contact tracing is a supplement to traditional manual contact tracing.

From Fortune

Today, scientists around the world are using cutting-edge technologies, from subcutaneous biosensors to specialized food supplements, in an effort to improve safety and efficiency within the $385 billion global cattle meat industry.

From Singularity Hub 

Others noted that while the extra payment made sense as a short-term stimulus measure, economists might approach the long-term consequences of such a generous supplement differently.

From FiveThirtyEight

The flowers and leaves of this herb are used to make medications and the supplement is popularly used for depression.

From The Daily Beast

This dietary supplement originates in China and has been reported to enhance cognitive ability in healthy individuals.

From The Daily Beast

Williams was trying to promote Anatabloc, a dietary supplement developed by his company.

From The Daily Beast

I was grateful I could supplement my voracious reading with other media, as it kept me feeling current.

From The Daily Beast

Annunziato and Akerman are in agreement that CrowdMed is best deployed as a supplement, not a substitute.

From The Daily Beast

He prepared a glossary of provincial and archological words, intended for a supplement to Johnson's Dictionary.

From Project Gutenberg

It came to be used as a supplement to the law to indicate ways of doing things unknown to the law, which ought to be done.

From Project Gutenberg

Our valley does not number among its men many who can supplement their sentimental attentions with gifts of books.

From Project Gutenberg

A few further remarks on this and other important topics will well supplement what we have said.

From Project Gutenberg

He also wrote a supplement of three volumes, entitled "Lee's Lieutenants," which was exceptionally well received.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• additive

More About Supplement

What does supplement mean?

A supplement is an addition to something that completes it or makes up for a shortcoming, as in He takes vitamin supplements to make up for his vitamin C deficiency.

A supplement is also an addition to a book that provides important information or corrects errors. In this sense, supplement can be confused with the words appendix and index. An appendix gives additional information, such as charts and graphs, but the book or document would be considered complete without it. An index is an alphabetical list of names or topics with page numbers that helps you find something specific in the book, such as all the references to John Wilkes Booth in a biography of Abraham Lincoln.

As a verb, supplement means to add to something, as in Tameka sold paintings to supplement her income.

In this sense, supplement can be confused with the word complement. Both words mean to add something, but to complement means to add something to make up for a missing piece or element, while to supplement is to add extra information.

Example: The company built a new roller coaster to supplement its original roller coaster, which always has a long line.  

Where does supplement come from?

The first records of supplement come from around 1350. It comes from the Latin noun supplēmentum, meaning “that by which anything is made full.” A supplement is often an addition that makes up for something that is lacking.

The word supplement is commonly used to specifically refer to pills or other substances that are designed to provide nutrients that might be missing in your diet. In the United States, the Food and Drug Association carefully regulates these products and ensures that they are not dangerous or don’t make false health claims. Often, you would take these dietary supplements to make up for vitamins or essential nutrients you’re not getting normally, such as due to dietary restrictions.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to supplement?

• supplementer (noun)
• supplementation (noun)
• unsupplemented (adjective)
• well-supplemented (adjective)

What are some synonyms for supplement?

• additive
• addition
• augment
• enhance
• improve

What are some words that share a root or word element with supplement? 

• supplementary
• supplemental
• supply

What are some words that often get used in discussing supplement?

• add-on
• deficiency
• shortage
• vitamin
• protein

What are some words supplement may be commonly confused with?

• complement
• appendix
• index

How is supplement used in real life?

Supplement is a common word that is often used in “dietary supplements.”

Honest question: has anyone ever taken a supplement (vitamin/herb/etc) and noticed a direct benefit or change in your health from it?

If so, what was it?

— Amelia Boone (@ameliaboone) August 24, 2020

Gym rats like us don’t take supplements.

— 🇬🇭 x 🇱🇷 x 🇪🇺 De Konyine Boyz (@JICHOdaDOG) November 9, 2020

My library now does deliveries for books you put on hold, so I decided to take advantage of it to supplement the ebooks I get from them on Libby on my Kindle. Got my first book mail today, exciting.

— Denise Ruttan (@TeaWhileWriting) November 5, 2020

Try using supplement!

Is supplement used correctly in the following sentence?

Natasha added some flowers and decorations to the room to supplement its beauty.