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
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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:
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
The other option is to shift the recipient of the compliment by acknowledging the help of others by adding, “Our local suppliers are a big help,” or “It was a pleasure to serve you.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 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 a great compliment and it's great to play with him," Alexander-Arnold said of Gordon.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
I beam and thank her for both the compliment and the ride.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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
"I may wear a wig if I'm dressing up, but usually I don't, and I get so many lovely compliments."
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 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
The week before that was defenestrate, compliments of me.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
So if you complimented somebody’s jacket, a more acceptable response might be, “Thanks! My sister helped me pick it out.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Coach Sean McVay complimented Ferguson for responding positively after his miscues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 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
He thought of all her stories, how she’d complimented his fingers and said he should be a pianist, and how she taught him about Pah and the Stone Boy and the Sun Queen.
From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly
To begin a conversation, start with something simple like complimenting someone's outfit, introducing yourself and asking why they're there, Leverich advises.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
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
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
“It’s brilliant!” he whispers, complimenting her writing as propulsive.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2025
I tuned back in as the judge was complimenting the Courters on their willingness to take me.
From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
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