compliment
Americannoun
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compliments
plural
-
an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration.
A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
- Antonyms:
- disparagement
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an act or expression of civility, respect, or regard.
The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
-
compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards.
He sends you his compliments.
-
Archaic. a gift; present.
verb (used with object)
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compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
-
to express praise, commendation, or admiration of.
She complimented the child on his good behavior.
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to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor.
He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
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to congratulate.
They were traveling to the capital to compliment the prince on the birth of a son.
verb (used without object)
-
compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
idioms
noun
-
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
-
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
verb
-
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
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to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Usage
What’s the difference between compliment and complement? A compliment is a comment intended to express praise or admiration of someone. Compliment is also commonly used as a verb meaning to give a compliment. The word complement most commonly refers to something that goes along with something else and serves to make it better or complete it. It’s also commonly used as a verb meaning to serve as a complement in this way, as in That necklace really complements the rest of your outfit. Complement has many other specific meanings, but compliment is really only used to refer to a nice comment or the action of giving one. Since the primary senses of both words are generally used in positive contexts, it can be easy to confuse them. The adjective form of complement is complementary, as in complementary colors. The adjective form of compliment is complimentary, which can describe something intended to be a compliment, as in complimentary remark, or it can be used to mean that something is given for free, as in I hope we get complimentary snacks on this flight. The easiest way to remember the difference is that complement often means to complete, and complete also starts with c-o-m-p-l-e. On the other hand, compliment is spelled with an i, and compliments are something that I like to get (and give). Nice shirt, by the way. Here’s an example of compliment and complement used correctly in the same sentence. Example: The chef overheard the diners at one table complimenting the way the sauce complemented the fish, so she told the server to offer them a complimentary dessert. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between compliment and complement.
Commonly Confused
See complement.
See complement
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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complimenternoun
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outcomplimentverb (used with object)
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complimentableadjective
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uncomplimentedadjective
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uncomplimentingadjective
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complimentinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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complimentsimple
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complimentssimple
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have complimentedperfect
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has complimentedperfect
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am complimentingprogressive
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are complimentingprogressive
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is complimentingprogressive
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have been complimentingperfect progressive
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has been complimentingperfect progressive
Past
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complimentedsimple
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had complimentedperfect
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was complimentingprogressive
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were complimentingprogressive
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had been complimentingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of compliment
First recorded in 1570–80; from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento “compliance or fulfillment of the forms of a courtesy,” from cumpli(r) “to complete” ( cf. comply) + -miento, noun suffix ( cf. -ment); earlier identical in spelling with complement
Explanation
A compliment is an expression of respect or admiration, like, "You're such a good writer," or "You know so many words!" Keep them coming. Compliments are always welcome, because they usually make people feel good. It’s saying something nice about someone or something. If you get mysterious flowers, look at the card – perhaps it will say “compliments of your upstairs neighbors,” as an apology for playing their music too loud all night. Or if you say, “my compliments to the chef!” you really liked your meal.
Vocabulary lists containing compliment
Some Tricky Homonyms
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
While declining to endorse Bass, Caruso commended the mayor by saying “she’s done her work, and she’s worked with the team, and I compliment this.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
Rebecca Onion declares that the miniseries is a bracing delight, akin to “kissing a dead fish and taking a shot”—and that’s a compliment!
From Slate ● Oct. 14, 2026
Sometimes that participation amounts to nothing more than a little patience, an unexpected compliment or somebody asking, Wait, is that really what you meant?
From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026
"It's always a compliment when other clubs want your players as it means you're doing something right," says Inglethorpe.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
He called me Jimmy Neutron, and if you’ve seen that old movie, you know calling me that wasn’t any kind of a compliment.
From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée
He compliments the brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the “Avengers” installment, for the positive experience.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
She adds that she constantly gets compliments when she wears a strapless dress.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Burnham did look a little nervous as us reporters trooped into the room, but then, for the most part, the compliments flowed from the president.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Zacharek accurately referred to Miyazaki’s narratives as “wriggly, noodle-shaped things,” and not in offering her compliments to the chef.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
“You don’t need compliments to get leftovers. You know I always keep some for you.”
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
Coach Sean McVay complimented Ferguson for responding positively after his miscues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
The only proof that they were on surveillance came on the rare occasions when a deputy later complimented me on a shot.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
He complimented an Emirati journalist who asked a question, describing the man known as MBZ as a "handsome guy" whom "I can put... right now in a movie".
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
He said that Bond "was written how he was written for a reason", but added he was "complimented" by being linked to the role.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
And when we went back downstairs Javier complimented Mabel's new outfit and kissed her on the forehead while she muttered "whatever" and rolled her eyes.
From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour
The following morning, on the train back to London, people could be overheard complimenting the play and discussing its big revelations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
He often appeared relaxed during the gubernatorial debates, at points even complimenting or joking with his rivals as they parried on stage.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
Rosé kept it simple of the carpet tonight, complimenting her ice blonde hair with a simple black bow dress.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
Students who saw our campaign were more willing to take social risks, such as complimenting peers, expressing gratitude and asking for help when they needed it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
The Sisters often praised him during his time in the Tower, complimenting his penmanship or his swiftness or his polite demeanor.
From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
