Reading Theme:
Supplement: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：add to (supplement)
supplement
/ˈsʌplɪment/
vt.
to add something, like vitamins, to your diet to make it better or healthier.
add to
➕
/æd tuː/
vt.
To add an extra element or substance to something, typically to improve or complete it by addressing a deficiency.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'supplere' (to fill up), from 'sub-' (under) + 'plere' (to fill).
💡 Mnemonic
Think: A SUPPLY you add to make something complete. SUPPLEment makes something more SUPPLE/complete.
📖 Example
Since I don't eat enough fish, I supplement my diet with omega-3 capsules.
To compensate for not eating enough fish, I add omega-3 capsules to my daily food intake.
🔗 Collocations
supplement one's diet – to add nutrients to what one regularly eats
supplement with – to add something as an extra
dietary supplement – a product taken to add nutrients to the diet
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
supplementary (adj.) – added to complete or enhance something
supplementation (n.) – the act of adding something as a supplement
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Latin 'supplementum' (something added to complete a thing), it entered English via French. It is commonly used in modern contexts like nutritional science (dietary supplements) and academia (supplementary reading).
Meaning 2：append to (supplement)
supplement
/ˈsʌplɪment/
vt.
to add extra information or material to a book, report, etc. to make it more complete.
append to
➕
/əˈpend tuː/
vt.
To provide additional information or material to a document, publication, or body of work to make it more comprehensive.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The author decided to supplement the new edition of her textbook with an online chapter on recent discoveries.
The writer chose to add an extra online chapter about recent findings to the latest version of her textbook.
🔗 Collocations
supplement a report – to add extra information to a written account
supplementary material – additional content provided alongside a main work
supplement an article – to enhance a piece of writing with extra details
🔄 Synonyms
append (vt.) – to add as an extra or subordinate part
addend (vt.) – to join or attach something to a larger entity
complement (vt.) – to add in a way that improves or makes perfect
🚫 Antonyms
omit (vt.) – to leave out or exclude
🌱 Derivatives
supplemental (adj.) – provided in addition to what is already present
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser