adj
Common
supporting
suh-PAW-tihng
Supporting (adj) means providing help or a secondary role. Example: “He won an award for his supporting role in the film.”
adj
1
Providing help or a secondary role.
"He won an award for his supporting role in the film."
"The wall has a supporting beam behind it."
"The supporting actors in the play were just as impressive as the lead."
How to use supporting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBacking something up or playing a secondary, helping role.
Common pairings
supporting role
supporting cast
supporting evidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- supportings
- Comparative
- more supporting
- Superlative
- most supporting
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He won an award for his _____ role in the film.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for supporting
See all rhymes for supporting →Frequently asked questions
What does “supporting” mean?
The word “supporting” means providing help or a secondary role. In plain terms, backing something up or playing a secondary, helping role.
How do you pronounce “supporting”?
“Supporting” is pronounced suh-PAW-tihng (/səˈpɔɹtɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “supporting” in a sentence?
Here is “supporting” used in a sentence: “He won an award for his supporting role in the film.”
What part of speech is “supporting”?
“Supporting” is an adjective.
Is “supporting” a common word?
“Supporting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a supporting role and a lead role?
A lead role is the central part that drives the story or effort, carrying most of the attention and responsibility. A supporting role assists that centre, adding depth, help, or contrast from a secondary position. Supporting parts are essential, but they serve and strengthen the lead rather than heading the action.
What does a supporting character mean?
A supporting character helps advance the story or aid the main character without being its focus. They provide context, assistance, or emotional weight from the background. In film and theatre, strong supporting characters make the lead's journey believable, which is why "supporting actor" is a respected award category.
What is an example of supporting used as an adjective?
You might describe a "supporting wall" that helps hold up a structure, a "supporting argument" that backs a main point, or a "supporting role" in a play. In each case, supporting means the thing provides help or plays a secondary, reinforcing part rather than standing at the centre.
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