Supplementary vs. Complementary — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
Supplementary adds to something to complete or enhance it; complementary combines things that enhance each other's qualities.
Difference Between Supplementary and Complementary
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Supplementary refers to something provided in addition to what is already present or available. It's an additive concept where the supplemental item or information adds to the existing one, enhancing or completing it. For example, a supplementary textbook enhances learning from the primary text.
Complementary, on the other hand, involves combining things that enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other. It's about two or more items that, when brought together, improve each other's effectiveness or value. A complementary color scheme, for instance, is where colors across from each other on the color wheel are used together to create a pleasing aesthetic.
Supplementary is often used in contexts where an extra layer or element is added for improvement or completion, such as supplementary feeding in wildlife conservation. This doesn't necessarily mean that the supplementary item is essential, but it contributes to a better outcome.
Complementary elements are considered to bring out the best in each other by their combination. For instance, in nutrition, complementary proteins are two or more incomplete protein sources that, when eaten together, provide all the necessary amino acids.
While both supplementary and complementary items enhance something, supplementary items do so by adding to it, whereas complementary items do so by pairing well with it. Understanding the difference is important in fields like education, design, and nutrition.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To add to or complete
To enhance or perfect together
Relationship
Independent addition
Interdependent pairing
Nature
Can be optional
Usually mutually enhancing
Usage in Mathematics
Angles that sum to 180°
Angles that sum to 90°
Example in Nutrition
Additional nutrient intake
Foods that provide complete nutrition together
Compare with Definitions
Supplementary
Extra; serving as an addition or enhancement.
She bought a supplementary insurance package for her trip.
Complementary
Forming a complement; completing something else.
The curtains were a complementary shade to the room's color palette.
Supplementary
Accessory; added to something else as a supplement.
The supplementary materials came with the deluxe edition of the game.
Complementary
Harmonizing; combining well to enhance properties.
Their skills are complementary, making them an excellent team.
Supplementary
Additional; meant to complete something.
The professor offered supplementary readings to broaden our understanding.
Complementary
Interacting; completing each other when combined.
Complementary technologies can lead to innovation in product development.
Supplementary
Auxiliary; providing additional support or help.
Supplementary staff was hired during the holiday rush.
Complementary
Free; provided at no additional charge.
Guests received a complementary breakfast with their stay.
Supplementary
Completing or enhancing something
The development of databases supplementary to existing ones
The programme offers supplementary information about the news
Complementary
Matching; well-suited or corresponding with something.
They wore complementary outfits for the photo shoot.
Supplementary
A supplementary person or thing.
Complementary
Forming or serving as a complement; completing
Finally acquired the complementary volumes that made a whole set.
Supplementary
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
Complementary
Offsetting mutual deficiencies or enhancing mutual strengths
"Creatures with complementary skills flourish in each other's presence" (Richard Dawkins).
Supplementary
A section added to a book or document to give further information or to correct errors.
Complementary
Of or relating to complementary medicine.
Supplementary
A separate section devoted to a special subject inserted into a periodical, such as a newspaper.
Complementary
(Genetics) Of or relating to a group of genes that act in concert to produce a specific phenotype.
Supplementary
See dietary supplement.
Complementary
(Biochemistry) Of or relating to the specific pairing of the purines and pyrimidines between strands of a DNA or an RNA molecule.
Supplementary
See supplementary angle.
Complementary
(Physics) Of or relating to the hypothesis that underlying properties of entities, especially subatomic particles, may manifest themselves in mutually exclusive forms at different times, depending on the conditions of the observation, and that any physical model that describes entities in terms of one form or the other will be incomplete.
Supplementary
To provide or form a supplement to.
Complementary
Acting as a complement; making up a whole with something else.
I'll provide you with some complementary notes to help you study.
The two business partners had complementary abilities: one had excellent people skills, while the other had a head for figures.
Supplementary
Additional; added to supply what is wanted.
Complementary
(genetics) Of the specific pairings of the bases in DNA and RNA.
Supplementary
Something additional; an extra.
Complementary
(physics) Pertaining to pairs of properties in quantum mechanics that are inversely related to each other, such as speed and position, or energy and time. (See also Heisenberg uncertainty principle.)
Supplementary
Added to complete or make up a deficiency;
Produced supplementary volumes
Additional reading
Complementary
A complementary colour.
Supplementary
Functioning in a subsidiary or supporting capacity;
The main library and its auxiliary branches
Complementary
(obsolete) One skilled in compliments.
Supplementary
Subsidiary; secondary or additional to the main.
Supplementary exercises were recommended by the trainer for better results.
Complementary
An angle which adds with another to equal 90 degrees.
Complementary
Serving to fill out or to complete; as, complementary numbers.
Complementary
One skilled in compliments.
Complementary
Either one of two chromatic colors that when mixed together give white (in the case of lights) or gray (in the case of pigments);
Yellow and blue are complementaries
Complementary
Acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
Complementary
Of words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other;
`male' and `female' are complementary terms
Complementary
Of or relating to or suggestive of complementation;
Interchangeable electric outlets
Common Curiosities
What does supplementary mean?
It means providing an addition or supplement to something.
Can something be both supplementary and complementary?
Yes, if it both adds to and enhances the qualities of the other item.
Are supplementary angles always complementary?
No, they are different; supplementary angles add up to 180 degrees, not 90.
Can complementary items be used separately?
Yes, but they typically provide more value when used together.
Do supplementary angles have to be connected?
No, they do not have to be adjacent; they just need to sum up to 180 degrees.
What does complementary mean?
It refers to things that enhance or complete each other when combined.
Can two complementary things be identical?
Typically no, as complementarity often involves different things enhancing each other.
Are complementary colors opposite each other on the color wheel?
Yes, they are positioned opposite each other and enhance each other's appearance.
Can foods be complementary?
Yes, certain foods can complement each other nutritionally.
Is a supplementary material necessary?
It's additional and not always necessary, but it can be beneficial.
How are supplementary goods related in economics?
Supplementary goods are additional products that add value to the primary purchase.
Are complementary skills important in teamwork?
Yes, they can greatly improve team performance and output.
Do supplementary angles have to sum to a specific total?
Yes, supplementary angles always sum to 180 degrees.
Is a supplementary textbook the same as the main textbook?
No, it is an additional resource meant to enhance understanding.
Can a service be complementary?
Yes, services can be offered at no extra cost as a complement to a primary service.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
