supplement — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Something added; especially, such an addition added to make up for a deficiency.

   Broader terms

   addition

   Examples

   Near-synonyms: see Thesaurus:adjunct

   More examples (2)

   Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.

   AI models will not completely replace the humans, she said, but will serve as a “supplement” intended to aid in the brand’s representation of various sizes, skin tones and ages.

2. An extension to a document or publication that adds information, corrects errors, or brings up to date.

3. An additional section of a newspaper devoted to a specific subject; an additional section of a journal issue, or an additional issue, for a similar purpose.

   Examples

   the literary supplement

   More examples (1)

   "Mid-Lent, and the Enemy grins," remarked Selwyn as he started for church with Nina and the children. Austin, knee-deep in a dozen Sunday supplements, refused to stir; poor little Eileen was now convalescent from grippe, but still unsteady on her legs; her maid had taken the grippe, and now moaned all day: "Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Che fais mourir!"

4. An angle that, when added to a given angle, makes 180°; a supplementary angle.

5. A vitamin, herbal extract, or chemical compound ingested to meet dietary deficiencies or enhance muscular development; the dosage form that conveys or embodies it (e.g., tablet, capsule, pill, powder, beverage).

   Examples

   Vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids must come from either the diet or supplements.

   Menstruators are likelier to need an iron supplement than non-menstruators, whose diet alone is usually sufficient.

   More examples (1)

   She wasn't getting enough iron, so they prescribed a supplement.

6. A surcharge, additional cost, especially for food in a restaurant.

   Examples

   There is a £2 supplement if you choose the steak.

7. An adjunct that is nonessential, especially a supplementary relative clause.

   Broader terms

   adjunct

Verb

1. To provide or make a supplement to something.

   Synonyms

   eke out

   Examples

   I supplement my income by working as a model.

   More examples (1)

   Using the countless tons of rock from the cliff-face, supplemented by much more from inland, they threw out a huge breakwater, 2,000 ft. long and 80 ft. high, roughly at right angles to the quay, so forming an almost completely sheltered corner. Fifty years later, this massive mole is still standing up to the worst that the Irish Sea can do.

Noun

1. textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

   Synonyms

   addendumpostscript

   Broader terms

   matter

2. a quantity added (e.g. to make up for a deficiency)

   Synonyms

   supplementation

   Broader terms

   increaseincrement

3. a supplementary component that improves capability

   Synonyms

   accessoryappurtenanceadd-on

   Broader terms

   componentconstituentelement

Verb

1. add as a supplement to what seems insufficient

   Broader terms

   add

   Examples

   supplement your diet

2. serve as a supplement to

   Broader terms

   constituterepresentmake upcomprisebe

   Examples

   Vitamins supplemented his meager diet

3. add to the very end

   Synonyms

   appendadd onaffix

   Broader terms

   attach

   Examples

   He appended a glossary to his novel where he used an invented language