Augment vs. Supplement — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
Augment means to increase or enhance something, while Supplement refers to adding something extra to make up for a deficiency or enhance further. Both involve additions, but Augment emphasizes growth, whereas Supplement focuses on complementing.
Difference Between Augment and Supplement
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Key Differences
Both "Augment" and "Supplement" describe processes of addition or enhancement, but they differ in their nuances and typical contexts. These distinctions can shape our understanding and usage of each term in various scenarios.
"Augment" derives from the Latin "augmentum," implying growth or increase. When we use Augment, we focus on enhancing or enlarging an existing entity or concept. For instance, a company might augment its workforce to handle a larger project. Here, the emphasis lies on increasing the size or magnitude of something that's already in place.
In contrast, "Supplement" suggests adding something extra to make up for what's lacking or to provide an additional boost. Supplements often serve to complement or complete. For instance, a student might buy a supplement book to gain extra practice beyond their standard textbook. The implication here is that while the primary source provides most of the necessary information, the supplement offers an extra layer of content or reinforcement.
To sum up, while both terms relate to the idea of addition, "Augment" emphasizes amplification and growth of the existing, whereas "Supplement" stresses the provision of something extra that complements or completes.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To increase or make larger
To add as something extra
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Implication
Growth or expansion
Complementary addition
Typical Usage
Enhancing an existing entity
Adding to fill a gap or enhance further
Nuance
Emphasizes magnitude
Focuses on complementing
Example in Sentence
"They augmented the team with new hires."
"She used a supplement book for extra practice."
Compare with Definitions
Augment
To increase in size or volume.
They plan to augment the building to accommodate more residents.
Supplement
An extension that provides further information.
The textbook has a supplement with practice exercises.
Augment
To amplify or magnify.
Speakers were used to augment the sound.
Supplement
An addition that enhances or completes.
The magazine issued a supplement with bonus articles.
Augment
To make larger by addition.
They augmented their collection with rare artifacts.
Supplement
To enhance with additional elements.
She supplemented her income with freelance work.
Augment
To make (something already developed or well under way) greater, as in size, extent, or quantity
Continuing rains augmented the floodwaters.
Supplement
A complementary addition.
The musician released a supplement album with acoustic versions.
Augment
(Linguistics) To add an augment to.
Supplement
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
Augment
To become augmented.
Supplement
A section added to a book or document to give further information or to correct errors.
Augment
(Linguistics) The prefixation of a vowel accompanying a past tense, especially of Greek and Sanskrit verbs.
Supplement
A separate section devoted to a special subject inserted into a periodical, such as a newspaper.
Augment
(transitive) To increase; to make larger or supplement.
The money from renting out a spare room can augment a salary.
Supplement
See dietary supplement.
Augment
To grow; to increase; to become greater.
Supplement
See supplementary angle.
Augment
(music) To slow the tempo or meter, e.g. for a dramatic or stately passage.
Supplement
To provide or form a supplement to.
Augment
(music) To increase an interval, especially the largest interval in a triad, by a half step (chromatic semitone).
Supplement
Something added, especially to make up for a deficiency.
Augment
To add an augment to.
Supplement
An extension to a document or publication that adds information, corrects errors or brings up to date.
Augment
(grammar) In some Indo-European languages, a prefix e- (a- in Sanskrit) indicating a past tense of a verb.
The augment is found in Greek, Indo-Iranian, Armenian and Phrygian.
Supplement
An additional section of a newspaper devoted to a specific subject.
Augment
(grammar) In some Bantu languages, an additional vowel prepended to the noun prefix.
Supplement
(geometry) An angle that, when added to a given angle, makes 180°; a supplementary angle.
Augment
An increase.
Supplement
A vitamin, herbal extract or chemical compound ingested to meet dietary deficiencies or enhance muscular development.
Augment
To enlarge or increase in size, amount, or degree; to swell; to make bigger; as, to augment an army by reëforcements; rain augments a stream; impatience augments an evil.
But their spite still servesHis glory to augment.
Supplement
A surcharge, additional cost, especially for food in a restaurant.
There is a £2 supplement if you choose the steak.
Augment
To add an augment to.
Supplement
To provide or make a supplement to something.
Augment
To increase; to grow larger, stronger, or more intense; as, a stream augments by rain.
Supplement
That which supplies a deficiency, or meets a want; a store; a supply.
Augment
Enlargement by addition; increase.
Supplement
That which fills up, completes, or makes an addition to, something already organized, arranged, or set apart; specifically, a part added to, or issued as a continuation of, a book or paper, to make good its deficiencies or correct its errors.
Augment
A vowel prefixed, or a lengthening of the initial vowel, to mark past time, as in Greek and Sanskrit verbs.
Supplement
The number of degrees which, if added to a specified arc, make it 180°; the quantity by which an arc or an angle falls short of 180 degrees, or an arc falls short of a semicircle.
Augment
Enlarge or increase;
The recent speech of the PLO chairman augmented tensions in the Near East
Supplement
To fill up or supply by addition; to add something to.
Causes of one kind must be supplemented by bringing to bear upon them a causation of another kind.
Augment
Grow or intensify;
The pressure augmented
Supplement
Textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
Augment
To enhance or improve in quality.
The artist augmented the painting with vibrant colors.
Supplement
A quantity added (e.g. to make up for a deficiency)
Augment
To raise in amount or intensity.
The rainfall augmented the river's water levels.
Supplement
A supplementary component that improves capability
Supplement
Add as a supplement to what seems insufficient;
Supplement your diet
Supplement
Serve as a supplement to;
Vitamins supplemented his meager diet
Supplement
Add to the very end;
He appended a glossary to his novel where he used an invented language
Supplement
Something added to make up for a deficiency.
He takes a vitamin supplement daily.
Common Curiosities
Can "Augment" and "Supplement" be used interchangeably?
While similar, their nuances differ; augment emphasizes growth, while supplement focuses on complementing.
Does "Augment" always imply an increase in size?
No, augment can also mean improving quality or intensity, not just size.
Is a "Supplement" considered essential?
Not always; supplements are often extras or additions to enhance or complete something.
Is "Supplementary" derived from "Supplement"?
Yes, "Supplementary" means relating to or functioning as a supplement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
