Augment vs. Supplement: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make greater by adding to it.
To add something to complete or enhance it.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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Focus
Enhancement in size, quantity, or degree.
Providing what is missing or lacking.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Application
Adding more of the same or similar elements.
Adding different but complementary elements.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Purpose
To enhance overall quantity, value, or quality.
To enrich, perfect, or balance the original.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Augment and Supplement Definitions
Augment
To increase the size or amount of something.
They decided to augment the team with new members.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
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Supplement
To furnish an addition to something existing.
Additional resources were provided to supplement the curriculum.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Augment
To make more extensive or comprehensive.
He augmented his income by taking a second job.
Sara Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
Supplement
To complete or perfect by adding different yet compatible elements.
The theory was supplemented with new research findings.
Harlon Moss
Sep 30, 2023
Augment
To raise or elevate in degree or level.
The new evidence will augment the strength of our argument.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Supplement
To add something to something else to enhance or complete it.
He takes vitamin supplements to improve his health.
Sara Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
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Augment
To grow or become greater.
The company is looking to augment its market share.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Supplement
To provide what is missing or lacking.
The document was supplemented with images to clarify the text.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Augment
To make (something already developed or well under way) greater, as in size, extent, or quantity
Continuing rains augmented the floodwaters.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
To enrich by the addition of external elements.
She supplements her income by freelancing.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Supplement
Something added to complete a thing, make up for a deficiency, or extend or strengthen the whole.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
A section added to a book or document to give further information or to correct errors.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
(Linguistics) The prefixation of a vowel accompanying a past tense, especially of Greek and Sanskrit verbs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
A separate section devoted to a special subject inserted into a periodical, such as a newspaper.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
(transitive) To increase; to make larger or supplement.
The money from renting out a spare room can augment a salary.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
(music) To slow the tempo or meter, e.g. for a dramatic or stately passage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
(music) To increase an interval, especially the largest interval in a triad, by a half step (chromatic semitone).
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Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
An extension to a document or publication that adds information, corrects errors or brings up to date.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
An additional section of a newspaper devoted to a specific subject.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
(grammar) In some Bantu languages, an additional vowel prepended to the noun prefix.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
(geometry) An angle that, when added to a given angle, makes 180°; a supplementary angle.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
A vitamin, herbal extract or chemical compound ingested to meet dietary deficiencies or enhance muscular development.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
A surcharge, additional cost, especially for food in a restaurant.
There is a £2 supplement if you choose the steak.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
To increase; to grow larger, stronger, or more intense; as, a stream augments by rain.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
That which supplies a deficiency, or meets a want; a store; a supply.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
A vowel prefixed, or a lengthening of the initial vowel, to mark past time, as in Greek and Sanskrit verbs.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
Enlarge or increase;
The recent speech of the PLO chairman augmented tensions in the Near East
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
Textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Augment
To enhance or intensify the quality or value of something.
Research can augment our understanding of the issue.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Supplement
Add as a supplement to what seems insufficient;
Supplement your diet
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
Supplement
Add to the very end;
He appended a glossary to his novel where he used an invented language
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 26, 2022
FAQs
Can augment refer to increasing the quantity of something?
Yes, augment often refers to increasing the quantity or amount of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can augment involve improving the quality of something?
Absolutely, augmenting can involve improving or intensifying the quality of something.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
Is augmenting focused more on enhancement and expansion?
Yes, augmenting typically focuses on enhancement and expansion of existing qualities or quantities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can supplement mean adding something to make up for a deficiency?
Yes, supplementing often means adding something to compensate for a deficiency or lack.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2023
Can augment mean to expand the scope of something?
Yes, to augment can also mean to expand the scope or range of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Does supplement refer to adding to achieve balance or perfection?
Yes, to supplement can refer to adding elements to achieve balance, enrichment, or perfection.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Does augment imply making something more effective?
Yes, to augment can imply enhancing the effectiveness of something.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can a supplement be something that is externally provided?
Indeed, a supplement is often something externally provided to complete or enhance.
Sara Rehman
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can supplement imply adding different but complementary elements?
Absolutely, supplement typically involves adding different but complementary elements to enhance or complete.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Can you augment your knowledge on a subject?
Certainly, you can augment your knowledge by learning more about a subject.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 30, 2023
Does augmenting always result in improvement?
Typically, augmenting is aimed at improvement, but the result may depend on the context and perspective.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
