auxiliary
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for auxiliary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Providing extra help or support to something else, rather than being the main part.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
How to use auxiliary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin auxiliarius, "helping," from auxilium, "help, aid," related to augere, "to increase."
Full origin of auxiliary →Frequently asked questions
What does “auxiliary” mean?
The word “auxiliary” means providing extra help or support to something else, rather than being the main part. In plain terms, backup or supporting — something that helps the main thing work, rather than being essential on its own.
How do you pronounce “auxiliary”?
“Auxiliary” is pronounced awg-ZIHL-uh-ree (/ɔɡˈzɪl.(jə).ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “auxiliary” in a sentence?
Here is “auxiliary” used in a sentence: “The hospital brought in auxiliary staff during the outbreak.”
What part of speech is “auxiliary”?
Depending on how it is used, “auxiliary” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “auxiliary” come from?
The word “auxiliary” comes from Latin. From Latin auxiliarius, "helping," from auxilium, "help, aid," related to augere, "to increase.".
Is “auxiliary” a common word?
“Auxiliary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “auxiliary” have?
“Auxiliary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: providing extra help or support to something else, rather than being the main part.
What is an auxiliary verb in grammar?
An auxiliary verb, such as "have," "be," or "will," is used together with another verb to show tense, mood, or voice. For example, in "she has finished," the word "has" is an auxiliary verb supporting the main verb "finished."
What is the difference between auxiliary and modal verbs?
Auxiliary verbs like "be," "have," and "do" support the main verb to form tenses, questions, or negatives, while modal verbs such as "can," "must," and "should" are a specific type of auxiliary that express possibility, necessity, or permission. All modal verbs function as auxiliaries, but not all auxiliaries are modal verbs.
How is auxiliary used outside of grammar?
Outside of grammar, auxiliary describes anything that provides extra help or support to something else rather than being the main part, such as an auxiliary power supply or auxiliary staff.