Word: ancillary (adjective)

Associations

The word "ancillary" means something that is additional or supportive to the main thing. It is often used to describe things that help or assist but are not the most important part.

• In business: "ancillary services" means extra services that support the main service, like customer support or delivery.
• In medicine: "ancillary equipment" refers to tools or machines that help doctors but are not the main treatment.
• In law: "ancillary documents" are extra papers that support the main contract.

Synonym: "secondary" can sometimes be used like "ancillary," but "secondary" often means less important, while "ancillary" focuses more on supporting or helping.

Substitution

You can use words like "supporting," "auxiliary," or "additional" instead of "ancillary." For example:

• "Ancillary services" → "Supporting services" or "Auxiliary services."
• "Ancillary staff" → "Support staff." Each substitute changes the tone slightly: "auxiliary" is more formal and technical, "supporting" is more general.

Deconstruction

"Ancillary" comes from Latin "ancilla," meaning "maid" or "female servant," so it originally meant something that serves or helps. The suffix "-ary" turns it into an adjective describing the role of helping or supporting.

Inquiry

• Can you think of any "ancillary" things in your daily life that help you but are not the main focus?
• How would you explain the difference between "ancillary" and "main" to a friend?
• Can "ancillary" be used for people as well as things? How?