supplement
/ˈsʌplɪmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌplɪmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsə-plə-mənt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsʌp.lɪ.ment/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsʌp.lə.ment/ (ame, ipa)
supplement — noun
- supplementsingular
- supplementsplural
1. something extra that you include with another thing when you want to make it ful
something extra that you include with another thing when you want to make it fuller or address something that is missing — such as earnings from a side job that you add onto your regular wages, or extra pages inserted into a report.
Emma took on a part-time job as a supplement to her regular income.
collocation: supplement to [something]
The company offers a pension supplement for staff who stay longer than ten years.
Government grants served as a vital supplement to the school's library budget.
Ziad uses income from freelance design work as a supplement to his main salary.
- deduction
something taken away, especially from an amount of money
文法句型
supplement + to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'supplement to + noun' — for example, 'a supplement to the report.' The thing being supplemented is typically financial (income, salary, pension, budget) but can also be abstract (a supplement to the discussion).
常見錯誤
2. a product made from natural ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that you t
a product made from natural ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that you take to keep your body healthy or to get important nutrients your everyday meals do not provide enough of.
Many older adults take calcium supplements to keep their bones strong.
collocation: take + [type] supplements
Joon buys vitamin C supplements every winter to help fight off colds.
The doctor recommended a daily iron supplement for Anjali after her blood test showed low levels.
Not all dietary supplements on the market are tested for safety before they are sold.
- dietary supplement
the full formal name; more precise than supplement alone
- health product
broader category that includes supplements but also other wellness items
- nutrient
refers to the substance inside the supplement, not the product itself
文法句型
take + [adjective] supplement(s)
supplement + of + nutrient
用法筆記
Commonly appears in plural form (supplements) since people often take more than one type. The word 'dietary' is frequently used before 'supplement' to specify this sense. In Taiwan, these are usually labelled as 保健食品 (health food products) under local food-safety regulations.
常見錯誤
3. an extra section of a newspaper or magazine, often sold separately or printed as
an extra section of a newspaper or magazine, often sold separately or printed as a special insert, that focuses on a particular topic such as travel, fashion, or books.
The Sunday newspaper includes a colourful travel supplement every week.
common in: Sunday supplement / weekend supplement
Léa read a detailed article about climate change in the magazine's science supplement.
This weekend's book supplement contains reviews of more than forty new novels.
The local newspaper launched a monthly food supplement with recipes from neighbourhood chefs.
文法句型
[newspaper/magazine] + supplement
supplement + on/about + topic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (book supplement): a media supplement is part of a periodical (newspaper or magazine) and is usually published on a regular schedule, whereas a book supplement is a one-time addition. In Taiwan, the most well-known example is the 聯合報 '聯合副刊' (United Daily News supplement).
4. an additional section included in a book — either placed at the back or issued a
an additional section included in a book — either placed at the back or issued as a separate booklet — that gives readers updated facts or material that came to light after the main text was finished.
The dictionary's supplement lists over five hundred new words from the past decade.
supplement at the end of a reference book
A supplement at the back of the textbook explains the maths formulas in more detail.
The publisher released a separate supplement with updated maps and population figures.
Otis found the answer to his question in the supplement that came with the encyclopaedia set.
- appendix
usually part of the original book plan and appears inside the book; a supplement may be published separately afterwards
- addendum
a formal term for material added at the end of a document, often legal or academic; slightly more formal than supplement
- annex
a document attached to a report or agreement; more common in official or business contexts
文法句型
supplement + to + [book/dictionary/textbook]
用法筆記
This sense is more formal and typically appears in academic or reference publishing. Unlike a general 'appendix' (which is planned as part of the original book), a supplement is usually created after the main book is finished, to include updates or corrections.
supplement — verb
- supplementpresent simple I / you / we / they
- supplements3rd person singular
- supplementing-ing form
- supplementedpast simple
1. to put extra material, money, or other items together with something you already
to put extra material, money, or other items together with something you already have, making it bigger, better, or more complete — for instance, earning more on the side to increase your pay, or taking additional nutrients to support your eating habits.
Rafael supplements his teaching salary by tutoring students on weekends.
supplement + noun + by + verb-ing
Ife decided to supplement her diet with extra protein after joining the gym.
supplement + noun + with + noun
The museum's permanent collection is supplemented by temporary exhibitions twice a year.
Dylan supplements the family meals with fresh vegetables from his own garden.
- reduce
to make something smaller or less in amount
文法句型
supplement + noun + with + noun
supplement + noun + by + verb-ing
用法筆記
Common patterns: (1) 'supplement [something] with [thing added]' — the focus is on what you add. (2) 'supplement [something] by [method]' — the focus is on how you do it. The passive form 'be supplemented by' is common in formal or academic writing.