comp

¹ American  

[komp] / kɒmp /

noun

1. a ticket, book, service, etc., provided free of charge to specially chosen recipients.

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adjective

1. complimentary; free of charge.

   I received a comp copy of her book.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with a comp.

   Some casinos comped the biggest spenders, providing rooms and meals on the house.

2. to provide free of charge.

   His meals and drinks at the hotel were often comped.

comp ² American  

[komp] / kɒmp /

noun

1. a compositor.

2. composition.

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verb (used with object)

1. to compose (type).

comp ³ American  

[komp] / kɒmp /

verb (used without object)

Jazz.

1. to accompany a soloist with a succession of irregularly spaced chords that punctuate the rhythm.

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comp ⁴ American  

[komp] / kɒmp /

noun

Informal.

1. comprehensive.

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comp ⁵ American  

[komp] / kɒmp /

noun

Informal.

1. compensation.

   workers' comp;

   unemployment comp.

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comp. ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. comparative.

2. compare.

3. compensation.

4. compilation.

5. compiled.

6. compiler.

7. complement.

8. complete.

9. composition.

10. compositor.

11. compound.

12. comprehensive.

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comp British  

/ kɒmp /

noun

1. a compositor

2. an accompanist

3. an accompaniment

4. a competition

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verb

1. (intr) to work as a compositor in the printing industry

2. to play an accompaniment (to)

Etymology

Origin of comp¹

First recorded in 1885–90; by shortening of complimentary

Origin of comp²

First recorded in 1865–70; shortened form

Origin of comp³

An Americanism first recorded in 1945–50; shortening of accompany

Origin of comp⁴

By shortening

Origin of comp⁵

By shortening

Example Sentences

Software investors historically were willing to tolerate an addback of stock comp to arrive at an adjusted earnings figure because stock comp is a noncash expense.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

The letter from Rodiger also said that the Dodgers’ longtime practice of offering tour guides comp tickets would continue.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

“Labor costs, workers’ comp, it has all skyrocketed,” says Stephen Sandoval, co-founder and executive chef at Chicago’s Trino steakhouse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Proteus doesn’t call in sick, doesn’t file workers’ comp and doesn’t require bathroom breaks.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 12, 2025

“You other people are out of a job! Heh heh. Learn comp sci.”

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini

Related Words

• architecture
• arrangement
• composition
• construction
• drawing
• form
• idea
• layout
• map
• method
• model
• pattern
• picture
• plan
• scheme
• study