compliment
an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
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.
to express praise, commendation, or admiration of: 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: They were traveling to the capital to compliment the prince on the birth of a son.
to express praise, commendation, or admiration: He was known for a warm style of leadership in which he complimented and praised frequently.
Idioms about compliment
compliments of, given or donated by: Begin your day with a delicious continental breakfast, compliments of your hosts.I have a mystery tomato plant growing among my squash, apparently compliments of the birds and their droppings.
Origin of compliment
1confusables note For compliment
Other words for compliment
Opposites for compliment
Other words from compliment
- com·pli·ment·a·ble, adjective
- com·pli·ment·er, noun
- com·pli·ment·ing·ly, adverb
- out·com·pli·ment, verb (used with object)
- un·com·pli·ment·ed, adjective
- un·com·pli·ment·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with compliment
- complement, compliment (see confusables note at complement)
Words Nearby compliment
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use compliment in a sentence
One of the biggest compliments I can have as a drummer is that someone is dancing to you.
Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer and band’s rhythmic mainstay, dies at 80 | Matt Schudel | August 24, 2021 | Washington PostHe said the hugs and compliments he gave her were friendly and told investigators he’d had similar conversations with students about their sex lives before.
Student Who Reported CSUSM Professor Says No One Told Her He Kept His Job | Kayla Jimenez | August 10, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoToday, the word is frequently used with more nuance and intrigue, and some even use it as a compliment.
He hugged them for too long, pressured them into private meetings in his office and made unwanted compliments about their appearance, records show.
CSU San Marcos Tried to Fire a Professor for Misconduct – Then His Union Intervened | Kayla Jimenez | May 25, 2021 | Voice of San DiegoIn January, Elton John paid him one of the highest compliments imaginable, saying, “you’re going to be one of the biggest artists in the whole wide world.”
Who Is The Kid Laroi? What to Know About the 17-Year-Old's Meteoric Rise | Andrew R. Chow | May 6, 2021 | Time
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHawke, 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 | THE DAILY BEASTPeople 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 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd the criticism is always poorly packaged as concern or some sad excuse for a compliment.
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 | THE 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. LockeThe 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; | VariousIt 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 TatlowMarius 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
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Origin of compliment
1confusable For compliment
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
Browse