supplement

B2 Topic:Cause, Change & Process

US /ˈsʌp.lə.mənt/ UK /ˈsʌp.lɪ.mənt/ See IPA manual

Freq #19789

Meanings

1

noun
Something added to make up for what is missing or to improve something.

This booklet is a useful supplement to the main textbook.
2

noun
A vitamin, mineral, or other substance taken to add to your diet.

She takes an iron supplement every morning.
3

verb
To add something extra to something in order to improve it or make up for a shortage.

He supplements his income by teaching evening classes.
4

noun
An extra section of a newspaper or magazine on a particular subject.

I always read the travel supplement on Sundays.
5

noun
An extra charge added to a basic price.

There is a small supplement for a room with a sea view.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · something added to make up... accessory additionadd-onappendix extra

3 verb · to add something extra to... eke out

Word family

Forms supplementedsupplementingsupplements

Related forms complement supplemental supplementary suppletionsuppletory

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

single supplement
an extra travel charge paid by someone occupying accommodation alone

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Latin supplementum (“that which is added to supply a shortage”), from supplere (“to provide something”).

supplementum Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Cause, Change & Process

External links

# supplement

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈsʌp.lə.mənt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsʌp.lɪ.mənt/
**Frequency rank:** 19789

## Meanings
1. Something added to make up for what is missing or to improve something.
2. A vitamin, mineral, or other substance taken to add to your diet.
3. To add something extra to something in order to improve it or make up for a shortage.
4. An extra section of a newspaper or magazine on a particular subject.
5. An extra charge added to a basic price.

## Examples
- This booklet is a useful supplement to the main textbook.
- She takes an iron supplement every morning.
- He supplements his income by teaching evening classes.
- I always read the travel supplement on Sundays.
- There is a small supplement for a room with a sea view.

## Related Forms
- complement
- supplemental
- supplementary
- suppletion
- suppletory

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: supplementum

## Etymology
From Latin supplementum (“that which is added to supply a shortage”), from supplere (“to provide something”).

## AI Etymology
Supplement is from Latin supplementum (“that which is added to supply a shortage”), from supplere (“to provide something”). In present-day use, it can mean something added to make up for what is missing or to improve something, or a vitamin, mineral, or other substance taken to add to your diet.

## Topics
- Cause, Change & Process

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