compliment
Americannoun
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compliments
plural
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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.
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Archaic. a gift; present.
verb (used with object)
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compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
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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
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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:
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
First of all, thanks very much for the compliment.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026
Mr. Leslie told the Anchorage newspaper that people had messaged him to compliment his ad: “I was like, ‘What are you talking about?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
This was too loud a call for a compliment to be passed by, and Mr. Weston, with a very good grace, immediately exclaimed,
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
He compliments the brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the “Avengers” installment, for the positive experience.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
You could describe that as the meaningless courtesies of routine statecraft, but it also suggested a high-flying hotel guest offering his compliments to the concierge: The eggs this morning were entirely delicious.
From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026
Jeffrey Gundlach, who runs DoubleLine Capital and does not hand out compliments like Halloween candy, put it plainly in a post on social-media platform X: “Even Lacy Hunt has turned bearish, to his credit.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
There were also constant compliments that she was helping to "keep him alive".
From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026
Mom soaked up compliments about her blueberry pies, and I stuffed myself on all the good food laid out.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
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
On Aug. 20, 2021, after being complimented for a post that was viewed more than 15,000 times, Wang responded to a Chinese official: “Thank you leader,” according to the plea agreement.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
She complimented them on their flattering, carefully chosen outfits and waited as they had their hair fashioned, their eyebrows trained, and their slight imperfections masked by powder.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Now, she could eat whatever she wanted, just in smaller portions, and people were complimenting her looks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
Hoffman: I also just had a thought that this interview’s going to be so annoying to read because it’s literally just going to be me and Andrew complimenting each other for however long.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2025
“It’s brilliant!” he whispers, complimenting her writing as propulsive.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2025
Shot at the San Diego Zoo, the primitive video clip showed Jawed Karim, the platform’s co-founder, complimenting the elephants in the frame behind him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025
Everybody was patting Nico on the back, complimenting him on his fighting.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
