Ancillary vs. Auxiliary: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 15, 2023
"Ancillary implies supplementary to something larger; Auxiliary suggests offering additional, supportive help."
Key Differences
"Ancillary" typically refers to something that works in a supplementary manner, not essential but augmenting. "Auxiliary," however, often implies something or someone that provides additional support, acting as a backup.
"Ancillary" services or items play a supporting role within a larger entity or main structure, enhancing the primary function. "Auxiliary" units or systems are those that operate concurrently, providing assistance, especially in emergency or contingency situations.
In a corporate setting, "ancillary" charges or profits are those derived from goods or services that are not the company's primary revenue source. "Auxiliary" organizations or operations, however, directly assist the main organization, often in a support capacity during peak times or under special circumstances.
In healthcare, "ancillary" services refer to the wide range of additional services, from diagnostics to therapeutic services, that support a patient's primary healthcare provider's care. In contrast, "auxiliary" staff or services are those enlisted to provide supplementary help, especially in times of high demand or crisis.
"Ancillary" often carries the connotation of being secondary, not being integral to function but enhancing it. "Auxiliary," however, suggests a role of greater necessity, often standing in when primary systems fail or need reinforcement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Supplementary, non-essential
Providing additional, supportive help
Function
Enhances a primary function
Acts as backup or support
Context
Secondary services, additional charges
Emergency support, assistance
Dependency
Complements a larger entity
Can operate independently
Essentiality
Not crucial, but beneficial
Often necessary in specific situations
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Ancillary and Auxiliary Definitions
Ancillary
Secondary
Ancillary revenues from the gift shop boosted profits.
Auxiliary
Supplementary
He volunteers with the fire department's auxiliary team.
Ancillary
Non-essential
Ancillary opinions were considered during the meeting.
Auxiliary
Backup
The power system activated the auxiliary generator.
Ancillary
Of secondary importance; subordinate
"For Degas, sculpture was never more than ancillary to his painting" (Herbert Read).
Auxiliary
Supportive
The ship has an auxiliary engine for emergencies.
Ancillary
Auxiliary or accessory
An ancillary pump.
Auxiliary
Additional
Auxiliary police forces were called in for the event.
Ancillary
Something that is subordinate or accessory to something else
A tripod, battery charger, and other camera ancillaries.
Auxiliary
Emergency
The hospital's auxiliary unit is ready for disasters.
Ancillary
A person working in a supportive or subordinate role
School ancillaries who look after children who become sick.
Auxiliary
Giving assistance or support; helping.
Ancillary
Subordinate; secondary; auxiliary.
Auxiliary
Acting as a subsidiary; supplementary
The main library and its auxiliary branches.
Ancillary
Something that serves an ancillary function, such as an easel for a painter.
Auxiliary
Held in or used as a reserve
Auxiliary troops.
An auxiliary power generator.
Ancillary
(archaic) An auxiliary.
Auxiliary
(Nautical) Equipped with a motor as well as sails.
Ancillary
Subservient or subordinate, like a handmaid; auxiliary.
The Convocation of York seems to have been always considered as inferior, and even ancillary, to the greater province.
Auxiliary
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being an auxiliary verb.
Ancillary
Relating to something that is added but is not essential;
An ancillary pump
An adjuvant discipline to forms of mysticism
The mind and emotions are auxilliary to each other
Auxiliary
An individual or group that assists or functions in a supporting capacity
A volunteers' auxiliary at a hospital.
Ancillary
Supplementary
The hospital offers ancillary services like physical therapy.
Auxiliary
A member of a foreign body of troops serving a country in war.
Ancillary
Additional
The college provides ancillary academic resources.
Auxiliary
(Grammar) An auxiliary verb.
Ancillary
Supporting
The project included ancillary staff from various departments.
Auxiliary
A sailing vessel equipped with a motor.
Auxiliary
A vessel, such as a supply ship or a tug, that is designed for and used in instances and services other than combat.
Auxiliary
Helping; giving assistance or support.
Auxiliary troops
Auxiliary
Supplementary or subsidiary.
Auxiliary
Held in reserve for exceptional circumstances.
Auxiliary
(nautical) Of a ship, having both sails and an engine.
Auxiliary
(grammar) Relating to an auxiliary verb.
Auxiliary
A person or group that acts in an auxiliary manner.
Auxiliary
A sailing vessel equipped with an engine.
Auxiliary
(grammar) An auxiliary verb.
Auxiliary
A marching band colorguard.
Auxiliary
Conferring aid or help; helping; aiding; assisting; subsidiary; as auxiliary troops.
Auxiliary
A helper; an assistant; a confederate in some action or enterprise.
Auxiliary
A verb which helps to form the voices, modes, and tenses of other verbs; - called, also, an auxiliary verb; as, have, be, may, can, do, must, shall, and will, in English; être and avoir, in French; avere and essere, in Italian; estar and haber, in Spanish.
Auxiliary
A quantity introduced for the purpose of simplifying or facilitating some operation, as in equations or trigonometrical formulæ.
Auxiliary
Someone who acts as assistant
Auxiliary
Functioning in a subsidiary or supporting capacity;
The main library and its auxiliary branches
Auxiliary
Relating to something that is added but is not essential;
An ancillary pump
An adjuvant discipline to forms of mysticism
The mind and emotions are auxilliary to each other
FAQs
Can "ancillary" refer to people?
Yes, if they provide supplementary support.
Does "auxiliary" imply less skill?
No, just a supportive or additional role.
Can "auxiliary" forces be volunteers?
Yes, they often are, especially in emergency services.
Do "ancillary" products enhance the main offering?
Typically, yes, they complement it.
Can "auxiliary" mean temporary?
It can, especially when referring to temporary support roles.
Is "ancillary" only used in medical contexts?
No, it's used in various fields to mean supplementary.
Are "ancillary" services secondary?
They're supplementary, not primary, but still important.
Is "ancillary" revenue crucial for businesses?
It can significantly impact profit, depending on the business.
Is "auxiliary" military support less trained?
No, they're often highly trained for supportive roles.
Is "auxiliary" equipment always for emergencies?
Often, but it can also be for general support.
Do "auxiliary" systems operate independently?
They can, especially in backup situations.
Can "ancillary" also mean additional?
Yes, it often refers to extra or additional components.
Are "ancillary" charges extra fees?
They can be, like fees for additional services.
Are "auxiliary" staff members permanent?
They can be, or they might be temporary or on-call.
What's an "auxiliary" verb?
A verb that adds functional or grammatical meaning.
Can "ancillary" imply minor?
Sometimes, but not necessarily unimportant.
Are "ancillary" roles less valued?
No, they play crucial supportive roles.
Is "ancillary" equipment necessary for operations?
It's not primary but can enhance operations.
Can "auxiliary" imply reserve?
Yes, especially in the context of reserve forces or capabilities.
Are "auxiliary" organizations separate entities?
They can be, or part of larger organizations.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
