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compliment

[ noun kom-pluh-muhnt; verb kom-pluh-ment ]

/ noun ˈkɒm plə mənt; verb ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt /

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See synonyms for: compliment / complimented / complimenting / compliments on Thesaurus.com

noun

an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.

a formal 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)

to pay a compliment to: She complimented the child on his good behavior.

to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.

to congratulate; felicitate: to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.

verb (used without object)

to pay compliments.

SYNONYMS FOR compliment

1 kudos, tribute, eulogy, panegyric.

5 commend, praise, honor.

See synonyms for compliment on Thesaurus.com

ANTONYMS FOR compliment

1 disparagement.

See antonyms for compliment on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR COMPLIMENT

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QUIZZES

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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, ” equivalent to cumpli(r) “to complete” + -miento noun suffix; see origin at comply,-ment; earlier identical in spelling with complement

words often confused with compliment

See complement.

OTHER WORDS FROM compliment

com·pli·ment·a·ble, adjectivecom·pli·ment·er, nouncom·pli·ment·ing·ly, adverbout·com·pli·ment, verb (used with object)

un·com·pli·ment·ed, adjectiveun·com·pli·ment·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compliment

complement, compliment (see confusables note at complement)

Words nearby compliment

complication, complice, complicit, complicity, complier, compliment, complimentary, complimentary close, compline, complot, comply

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for compliment

We have a friendly, warm relationship developed over a decade, and she has given me many compliments about my knowledge of grammar.
Miss Manners: Time for exec’s assistant to fix grammatical error|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
Being identified as a killer in the context of finance, dealmaking or politics constituted a compliment from the former president.
On the novelty of calling a killer a killer|Philip Bump|March 18, 2021|Washington Post
So when I give someone a compliment, it’s the best compliment in the world.
What’s Different About Gretchen Whitmer, ‘That Woman From Michigan’|Nick Fouriezos|February 10, 2021|Ozy
I get compliments on my bag on a regular basis, and unlike a board sock, these bags are sturdier and easier to slip on.
The Surf Gear I Rely on from Women-Owned Companies|Rebecca Parsons|January 30, 2021|Outside Online

The highest compliment I can give to a pair of shades is that they disappear on my face.
Ombraz's Armless Sunglasses Are a Mixed Bag|Graham Averill|January 22, 2021|Outside Online
For many men, being depicted by Channing Tatum in a film about your life would be a compliment.
Wrestler Mark Schultz Hates the ‘Sickening and Insulting Lies’ of ‘Foxcatcher’|Rich Goldstein|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hawke, ever the charmer, kicks things off with a compliment: I really like you guys.
Coffee Talk with Ethan Hawke: On ‘Boyhood,’ Jennifer Lawrence, and Bill Clinton’s Urinal Exchange|Marlow Stern|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People compliment me on Boyhood sometimes, and I think, “Well, it better have been good!”
Coffee Talk with Ethan Hawke: On ‘Boyhood,’ Jennifer Lawrence, and Bill Clinton’s Urinal Exchange|Marlow Stern|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the criticism is always poorly packaged as concern or some sad excuse for a compliment.
How to Make It Through Thanksgiving Alive|Lizzie Crocker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To be the very first moment that we see on an episode of The Good Wife was quite a compliment and very humbling.
How Carrie Preston Became The Good Wife’s Favorite Scene Stealer|Kevin Fallon|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“To say that you would have more sense than the police, would be a poor compliment,” said the old lady.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
The court paid him the high compliment of refusing his suit, declaring that he had himself inflicted sufficient punishment.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
It was a pretty compliment, and sincere I knew, for no one could meet him without recognising his frank outspoken nature.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Marius frowned darkly, but before he could speak, Tressan was insinuating a compliment to the Marquise.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
"And I can return the compliment," was my reply, as we all gathered round a brew of tea to exchange news and compare notes.
Three More John Silence Stories|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for compliment

compliment

noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)

a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc

(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard

verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)

to express admiration of; congratulate or commend

to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift

Word Origin for compliment

C17: from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to complete, do what is fitting, be polite

undefined compliment

Avoid confusion with complement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with compliment

compliment

see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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