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

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

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

Boeing has focused on its core jet-making businesses as part of an ongoing turnaround, and it’s been shedding some of its more ancillary units in recent months.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026

Plans are in the works for a variety of unique, ancillary creations including a 15-second slide that mimics the path of reentry as a space shuttle descends back into Earth’s atmosphere.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026

Cook squeezed trillions of dollars of value from the smartphone thanks to the supply chain he built and the services and ancillary products he rolled out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

Revenue should increase industrywide, reaching $270 billion, thanks to higher fares and ancillary charges.

From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026

As regards pure logic Aristotle sometimes seems to include it with metaphysics and physics, sometimes to regard it as ancillary to all the sciences.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

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

The ancillaries who help turn the gears of the business stuck around to talk shop.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 28, 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

Even of mere ancillaries and colorless lines, Homer will make you a resounding glory.

From The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 by Kenneth Morris

Related Words

• additional