supplemental

/səplɪˈmɛntəl/

/səplɪˈmɛntəl/

You can use the adjective supplemental to describe something extra. You could volunteer to donate your collection of markers and colored pencils to a local school that needs supplemental art supplies.

Something that's supplemental is added when there's a lack or deficiency. You might feed the runt from a litter of puppies supplemental milk because he can't get enough from his mother. Teachers are famous for assigning supplemental reading to round out the information in a textbook. Supplemental comes from the Latin supplementum, "added to supply a deficiency."

Definitions of supplemental

1. adjective

   functioning in a supporting capacity
   synonyms: auxiliary, subsidiary, supplementary

   secondary

   being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
2. adjective

   added to complete or make up a deficiency
   synonyms: supplementary

   additive

   characterized or produced by addition