Augment vs. Supplement: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on September 30, 2023
Augment means to make something greater by adding to it; supplement refers to adding something to complete or enhance it.
Key Differences
The terms augment and supplement, while closely related, have subtle differences in meaning and usage. Augment implies the act of increasing or enlarging, of adding to something already in existence to make it greater, more extensive, or more effective. It often implies enhancement in terms of size, quantity, or degree. On the other hand, supplement denotes the act of adding something to an existing entity to complete or enhance it, often implying that what is added is not part of the original and is meant to make up for a deficiency or lack.
To augment something is to grow or intensify its existing attributes or qualities. It is to add more of the same or similar elements to enhance the overall quantity, value, or quality of that thing. In contrast, to supplement is to provide an additional component that may be different but complementary, serving to enhance or complete the overall structure, value, or functioning of the original entity.
The concept of augmenting involves the idea of building upon or expanding, typically suggesting an enhancement or improvement in strength, value, functionality, or size. The emphasis is on addition and expansion. Meanwhile, supplementing carries the connotation of furnishing what is lacking, of providing what is missing to realize completeness or perfection. It implies filling gaps, meeting deficiencies, or enhancing by adding different, yet compatible, elements.
While augmenting can be related to improving or expanding any attribute or quality of an object, entity, or concept, supplementing is primarily associated with providing additional items or elements that enrich, perfect, or balance the original. Both terms, however, play a significant role in improving, completing, and enhancing the quality, value, and functionality of objects, concepts, or entities.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make greater by adding to it.
To add something to complete or enhance it.
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Implication
Increase or enlargement.
Addition to complete or enhance.
Focus
Enhancement in size, quantity, or degree.
Providing what is missing or lacking.
Application
Adding more of the same or similar elements.
Adding different but complementary elements.
Purpose
To enhance overall quantity, value, or quality.
To enrich, perfect, or balance the original.
Augment and Supplement Definitions
Augment
To increase the size or amount of something.
They decided to augment the team with new members.
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Supplement
To furnish an addition to something existing.
Additional resources were provided to supplement the curriculum.
Augment
To make more extensive or comprehensive.
He augmented his income by taking a second job.
Supplement
To complete or perfect by adding different yet compatible elements.
The theory was supplemented with new research findings.
Augment
To raise or elevate in degree or level.
The new evidence will augment the strength of our argument.
Supplement
To add something to something else to enhance or complete it.
He takes vitamin supplements to improve his health.
Augment
To grow or become greater.
The company is looking to augment its market share.
Supplement
To provide what is missing or lacking.
The document was supplemented with images to clarify the text.
Augment
To make (something already developed or well under way) greater, as in size, extent, or quantity
Continuing rains augmented the floodwaters.
Supplement
To enrich by the addition of external elements.
She supplements her income by freelancing.
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 intensify the quality or value of something.
Research can augment our understanding of the issue.
Supplement
A quantity added (e.g. to make up for a deficiency)
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
FAQs
Can augment refer to increasing the quantity of something?
Yes, augment often refers to increasing the quantity or amount of something.
Can augment involve improving the quality of something?
Absolutely, augmenting can involve improving or intensifying the quality of something.
Is augmenting focused more on enhancement and expansion?
Yes, augmenting typically focuses on enhancement and expansion of existing qualities or quantities.
Can supplement mean adding something to make up for a deficiency?
Yes, supplementing often means adding something to compensate for a deficiency or lack.
Can augment mean to expand the scope of something?
Yes, to augment can also mean to expand the scope or range of something.
Does supplement refer to adding to achieve balance or perfection?
Yes, to supplement can refer to adding elements to achieve balance, enrichment, or perfection.
Does augment imply making something more effective?
Yes, to augment can imply enhancing the effectiveness of something.
Is supplementing related to furnishing what is lacking or missing?
Correct, supplementing relates to providing what is missing or lacking to achieve completeness or perfection.
Can a supplement be something that is externally provided?
Indeed, a supplement is often something externally provided to complete or enhance.
Does augment have a broader application in terms of what can be augmented?
Yes, augment has a broader application as various attributes or qualities of an object or concept can be augmented.
Can supplement imply adding different but complementary elements?
Absolutely, supplement typically involves adding different but complementary elements to enhance or complete.
Can a supplement be additional information provided in a book?
Absolutely, a supplement can be additional information provided to complete or enhance the content of a book.
Is a supplement something that is added to enrich or perfect?
Yes, a supplement is something added to enrich, perfect, or complete the original entity.
Can you augment your knowledge on a subject?
Certainly, you can augment your knowledge by learning more about a subject.
Does augmenting always result in improvement?
Typically, augmenting is aimed at improvement, but the result may depend on the context and perspective.
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
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
