Definitions
- Referring to something that completes or enhances another thing. - Describing two things that work well together or bring out the best in each other. - Talking about something that is needed to make a whole or complete picture.
- Referring to something that adds to or provides additional information or support. - Describing something that is not essential but helpful or useful. - Talking about something that is added to complete or enhance something else.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to something that adds to or enhances another thing.
- 2Both words can be used to describe additional or supporting materials.
- 3Both words can be used to describe something that completes or enhances another thing.
What is the difference?
- 1Purpose: Complementary emphasizes completing or enhancing another thing, while supplementary emphasizes providing additional support or information.
- 2Essentiality: Complementary is often essential to make a whole or complete picture, while supplementary is not always necessary but helpful or useful.
- 3Type of addition: Complementary refers to something that works well with another thing, while supplementary refers to something that adds to or supports another thing.
- 4Usage: Complementary is often used in the context of aesthetics, design, and relationships, while supplementary is often used in the context of education, research, and information.
- 5Connotation: Complementary has a positive connotation, suggesting harmony and balance, while supplementary can have a neutral or slightly negative connotation, suggesting something that is not essential or secondary.
Remember this!
Complementary and supplementary are synonyms that both refer to something that adds to or enhances another thing. However, the difference between them lies in their purpose, essentiality, type of addition, usage, and connotation. Complementary emphasizes completing or enhancing another thing and is often essential to make a whole or complete picture, while supplementary emphasizes providing additional support or information and is not always necessary but helpful or useful.
