ancillary

[ an-suh-ler-eeor, especially British, an-sil-uh-ree ]

adjective

1. subordinate; secondary; subsidiary:

   Your medical coverage includes physiotherapy, eye testing, and other ancillary services.

2. auxiliary; assisting:

   The bookkeeper serves in an ancillary role, supporting the treasurer.

noun

, plural an·cil·lar·ies.

1. something that serves in an ancillary capacity:

   Downloadable ancillaries to the basic textbook, such as videos and worksheets, are on our website.

ancillary

/ ænˈsɪlərɪ /

adjective

1. subsidiary
2. auxiliary; supplementary

   ancillary services

noun

1. a subsidiary or auxiliary thing or person

   the company has an ancillary abroad

Word History and Origins

Origin of ancillary¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin ancillāris “having the status of a handmaid or female servant” + -ary adjective suffix; ancilla, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ancillary¹

C17: from Latin ancillāris concerning maidservants, from ancilla, diminutive of ancūla female servant

Example Sentences

The inquest heard that "ancillary investigations" are ongoing into his cause of death, with senior coroner Nicola Mundy adding she does not yet have a full report from the pathologist.

From BBC

Runaway production has had an adverse effect on entertainment workers, as well as ancillary businesses, such as prop houses and caterers, that depend on Hollywood to survive.

From Los Angeles Times

He laments the loss of up to 600 direct jobs at the refinery, 300 contractors, and an unknown number of ancillary jobs.

From Los Angeles Times

Such airlines’ devious definition of ancillary services kept expanding, and so did the revenue they earned from them, often catching less seasoned travelers off guard.

From Slate

That figure doesn’t include hiring costs for the tens of thousands of government employees and law enforcement agents that would be required or a “myriad of other ancillary costs necessary to ramp up federal immigration enforcement operations to the scale necessary.”

From Salon

Related Words

• additional