Supplement vs. Supplementary: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A supplement is an addition that enhances or completes, while supplementary describes something added to complete or enhance the main part.
Key Differences
A supplement is a thing added to something else to enhance or complete it, often used as a noun. Conversely, supplementary is an adjective describing something that serves as an addition or supplement.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 07, 2023
Supplements can be tangible items, like a dietary supplement, or abstract, like additional information in a report. Supplementary, on the other hand, refers to the quality of being an addition, like supplementary reading materials in a course.
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Dec 07, 2023
In the context of publications, a supplement might be a special issue of a journal, adding to the regular content. Supplementary materials, in this context, are additional documents or data that support the main publication.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplements are often seen as optional but beneficial additions, such as a vitamin supplement for health. Supplementary items or information, however, are seen as supportive and enhancing the understanding or functionality of the main item.
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Dec 07, 2023
In usage, one might take a supplement to improve their diet, implying a physical or concrete addition. When something is described as supplementary, it denotes that it complements or adds to the main subject, like supplementary instructions to a manual.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage
As a standalone item or addition
Describes something that adds to another
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Dec 07, 2023
Examples
Dietary supplement, journal supplement
Supplementary reading, supplementary material
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Dec 07, 2023
Purpose
To enhance, improve, or complete
To describe something that enhances or completes
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Dec 07, 2023
Relationship to Main
Can be independent but connected
Always connected and dependent on the main item
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Supplement and Supplementary Definitions
Supplement
An extra part or extension
The supplement to the report included recent findings.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplementary
Enhancing or completing the primary material
The supplementary reading broadened our understanding.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplement
An addition to something
She read the magazine’s supplement for more information.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplementary
Added to supply what is lacking
The teacher offered supplementary lessons for struggling students.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplement
A product taken to enhance health
He takes a vitamin supplement daily.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Supplementary
Serving as an addition or complement
The supplementary materials were helpful for the course.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplement
Something that completes or enhances something else
The teacher provided a supplement to the textbook.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplementary
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
An addition to a book or publication
The special supplement featured guest writers.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplementary
A section added to a book or document to give further information or to correct errors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplementary
A separate section devoted to a special subject inserted into a periodical, such as a newspaper.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
A section added to a book or document to give further information or to correct errors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
A separate section devoted to a special subject inserted into a periodical, such as a newspaper.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplementary
Added to complete or make up a deficiency;
Produced supplementary volumes
Additional reading
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
An extension to a document or publication that adds information, corrects errors or brings up to date.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplementary
Functioning in a subsidiary or supporting capacity;
The main library and its auxiliary branches
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
An additional section of a newspaper devoted to a specific subject.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplementary
Additional to the main part
The training included supplementary safety instructions.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplement
(geometry) An angle that, when added to a given angle, makes 180°; a supplementary angle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplementary
Serving to complete or enhance
She provided supplementary examples during her presentation.
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Dec 07, 2023
Supplement
A vitamin, herbal extract or chemical compound ingested to meet dietary deficiencies or enhance muscular development.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
A surcharge, additional cost, especially for food in a restaurant.
There is a £2 supplement if you choose the steak.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
That which supplies a deficiency, or meets a want; a store; a supply.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
That which fills up, completes, or makes an addition to, something already organized, arranged, or set apart; specifically, a part added to, or issued as a continuation of, a book or paper, to make good its deficiencies or correct its errors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
The number of degrees which, if added to a specified arc, make it 180°; the quantity by which an arc or an angle falls short of 180 degrees, or an arc falls short of a semicircle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
To fill up or supply by addition; to add something to.
Causes of one kind must be supplemented by bringing to bear upon them a causation of another kind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
Textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
Add as a supplement to what seems insufficient;
Supplement your diet
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Oct 19, 2023
Supplement
Add to the very end;
He appended a glossary to his novel where he used an invented language
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a supplement stand alone?
Yes, a supplement can often stand alone but is usually connected to something else.
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Dec 07, 2023
What does supplementary mean?
Supplementary refers to something added to complete or enhance the main part.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is a supplementary item always necessary?
Not always; it's often helpful but not essential.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can a book have a supplement?
Yes, like an additional chapter or a revised edition.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can a supplement be a part of a newspaper?
Yes, like a special weekend section.
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Dec 07, 2023
What is a supplement?
A supplement is an addition that enhances or completes something else.
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Dec 07, 2023
How are supplements used in health?
As products like vitamins or minerals to improve health.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are supplementary exercises important in training?
They can be important for reinforcing learning or skills.
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Dec 07, 2023
What makes something supplementary?
Its role as an addition that enhances the main part.
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Dec 07, 2023
What are supplementary materials in education?
Additional resources like handouts or readings.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can supplementary be used in a sentence?
Yes, like "She provided supplementary examples."
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Dec 07, 2023
What is a dietary supplement?
A product taken to enhance dietary intake, like vitamins.
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Dec 07, 2023
How do supplementary materials help in learning?
By providing additional information and context.
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Dec 07, 2023
How do you choose a good supplement?
By ensuring it meets your specific needs and is reputable.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can a supplement change the main item?
It usually adds to it rather than changing it.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are supplements and supplementary interchangeable?
No, they serve different grammatical and contextual roles.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is a supplement always physical?
No, it can also be abstract, like additional information.
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Dec 07, 2023
Do supplements always improve something?
Ideally, they should, but it depends on the context.
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Dec 07, 2023
What's an example of a supplementary service?
Additional customer support or extended warranties.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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