supplement
Definitions
Something added to complete or improve something else; an addition.
补充物，增补；附加物。
A substance taken to add nutrients to the diet.
（膳食）补充剂。
A separate section added to a newspaper or book.
（报刊的）增刊；（书的）附录。
To add to something in order to improve or complete it.
增补，补充（以改善或补足）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedsup- (sub-, from below) + ple (fill, from plēre) + -ment (thing) = 'something that fills up from underneath.' Imagine pouring extra in to top a vessel up to the level it should be. That is what every supplement does: a dietary supplement fills a nutritional gap, a salary supplement tops up income, a newspaper supplement adds the missing extra pages.
Root ple still carries 42 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.dietary supplement膳食补充剂
- 2.supplement your income补贴收入
- 3.vitamin supplement维生素补充剂
- 4.nutritional supplement营养补充品
Example Sentences
- 1.
She takes a vitamin D supplement every winter.
- 2.
He took a second job to supplement his income.
- 3.
The Sunday paper comes with a travel supplement.
Easily Confused
supplement vs complement — a supplement is added on top to fill a shortfall (a vitamin supplement adds what's missing); a complement completes a matching whole (wine complements the meal). Add to top up → supplement; pair to perfect → complement.