ancillary

American  

[an-suh-ler-ee, an-sil-uh-ree] / ˈæn səˌlɛr i, ænˈsɪl ə ri /

adjective

1. subordinate; secondary; subsidiary.

   Your medical coverage includes physiotherapy, eye testing, and other ancillary services.

2. auxiliary; assisting.

   The bookkeeper serves in an ancillary role, supporting the treasurer.

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noun

• ancillaries
  plural

1. something that serves in an ancillary capacity.

   Downloadable ancillaries to the basic textbook, such as videos and worksheets, are on our website.

ancillary British  

/ ænˈsɪlərɪ /

adjective

1. subsidiary

2. auxiliary; supplementary

   ancillary services

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noun

1. a subsidiary or auxiliary thing or person

   the company has an ancillary abroad

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ancillaries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of ancillary

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ancillāris “having the status of a handmaid or female servant” + -ary adjective suffix; see origin at ancilla, -ary

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Explanation

If you use the adjective ancillary to describe your position you are subordinate or supporting something or someone else. The adjective ancillary originally meant "relating to maidservants" from the Latin, but the element of a female servant has fallen away and now the word merely refers to a position as helpful or subordinate. An example of how something in medicine can be ancillary is after you have surgery you may also take a drug to aid healing — the drug would be considered ancillary to the surgery. One could also argue that in the United States the vice-president takes an ancillary role to the president.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ancillary ancillaries

“Even with respectable ancillary income based on the film’s pedigree, the movie is going to lose a lot of money,” David A. Gross wrote in his FranchiseRe movie industry newsletter shortly after the film’s opening.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026

There are also some ancillary fees which reached clubs whom Manchester City did not deal with directly.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Many of these ancillary items, strategically placed among approximately 140 Van Herpen designs, have inspired the couturier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

A Starbucks spokesperson told MarketWatch the company increasingly sees its ancillary offerings — like cups and other gear — as collectibles.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

Another belt ancillary to this began in western Massachusetts and extended along the Erie Canal to Buffalo, thence to Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago.

From Expansion and Conflict by William E. Dodd

There were huge ancillaries at stake, including a big new TV contract to be negotiated next year.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 1, 2023

Still BG’s salary for half a year’s work puts her in the top 5% of U.S. earners, not counting ancillaries.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2022

Through our Community Hubs, instructors can upload their own materials or download resources to use in their own courses, including additional ancillaries, teaching material, multimedia, and relevant course content.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 21, 2021

On June 22, 2016, Harris Corp. received $1.7 billion for "radios, ancillaries, spare parts and services."

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2021

Of these 67, 32 were pottery vessels and 12 were ceramic ancillaries.

From Mohave Pottery by Michaell J. Harner

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Related Words

• additional
• auxiliary
• extra
• supplementary

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