# supplemental

/ˌsəpɫəˈmɛnəɫ/ (US) · /sˌʌplɪmˈɛntəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/supplemental
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. extra or additional

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

added to something else to improve it or provide more information.

For teachers: serving as a supplement; providing additional support, information, or reinforcement to a primary element.

- The teacher gave us supplemental reading materials to help us understand the topic.
- The researchers provided supplemental data in the appendix to support their controversial findings regarding the new drug's efficacy.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 2. unscheduled or extra

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describes something that happens outside of a normal schedule, like an extra flight.

For teachers: referring to services or items provided outside of a standard schedule or regular provision.

- The airline added a supplemental flight to handle the holiday crowds.
- The charter company operates supplemental air carrier services during peak seasonal demand to alleviate pressure on commercial routes.

### 3. an extra part

noun · CEFR B2

a thing that is added to something else.

For teachers: an item, document, or amount added to a larger whole to complete or enhance it.

- The new law included a supplemental for emergency school funding.
- The committee approved a budget supplemental to cover the unforeseen costs of the infrastructure repairs.

### 4. extra funding

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

extra money given by a government for a specific project.

For teachers: a formal requisition or piece of legislation that provides additional funding for an existing program.

- Congress passed a supplemental to help the city after the flood.
- The defense department requested a supplemental to ensure the continued operation of the peacekeeping mission through the end of the fiscal year.

## Examples

- The teacher gave us supplemental reading for the exam.
- He took a part-time job in the evenings to provide supplemental income for his growing family.
- The report includes supplemental data in the appendices to support the primary findings presented in the executive summary.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.