auxiliary

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ɔːkˈsɪljəri/ or /ɔːkˈsɪli.əri/ or /ɔːkˈsɪləri/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ɔɡˈzɪljəri/ or /ɔɡˈzɪliɛri/ or /ɔɡˈzɪləri/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive auxiliary

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. An auxiliary worker is one who assists the main workers.

   The auxiliary police receive basic police training but cannot carry a weapon.

2. An auxiliary motor or power supply starts working if the main one stops.

   Because the computers are so important in an emergency, they need an auxiliary power supply.

3. (grammar) An auxiliary verb is a verb such as be, do, or will that works with another verb to show the tense, aspect, mood, or voice. (Here is a list of English auxiliary verbs.)

   The passive voice in English typically uses the auxiliary verbs be or get.

Noun

Singular auxiliary

Plural auxiliaries

1. (countable) An auxiliary is a person who assists the main workers.

   A number of auxiliaries were brought in to cover the sick workers.

2. (countable) An auxiliary is an organization that that supports another organization.

   The Ladies’ Auxiliary started when women were asked to help injured soldiers returning home.

3. (countable) (grammar) An auxiliary is an auxiliary verb.

   That sentence needs an auxiliary.