compliment
Americannoun
-
compliments
plural
-
an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration.
A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
- Antonyms:
- disparagement
-
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)
-
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.
-
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.
verb (used without object)
-
compliments,
present (3rd person singular)
-
complimented,
past participle, past
-
complimenting
present participle
idioms
noun
-
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
-
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
verb
-
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
-
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
-
complimenternoun
-
outcomplimentverb (used with object)
-
complimentableadjective
-
uncomplimentedadjective
-
uncomplimentingadjective
-
complimentinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
complimentsimple
-
complimentssimple
-
have complimentedperfect
-
has complimentedperfect
-
am complimentingprogressive
-
are complimentingprogressive
-
is complimentingprogressive
-
have been complimentingperfect progressive
-
has been complimentingperfect progressive
Past
-
complimentedsimple
-
had complimentedperfect
-
was complimentingprogressive
-
were complimentingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Of Mice and Men"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Yes, it’s a big responsibility and time-consuming, but it’s also a compliment.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
"I'd just run the full-back down the line so it was a bit of a compliment from him. That's how I took it anyway."
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
I live with a praise deficit, in a vast compliment desert.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026
The words “he’s a machine” are a compliment “reserved for the very best garbagemen.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
“We had to think of one compliment for everybody.”
From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson
Just the other day we had a general meeting, and I paid compliments to my direct sales agents, for how really kind they are to everybody.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 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
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
“Wow, all of these compliments lately, from the same person who said my head was big enough. Why are you trying to make it bigger?”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
He complimented her intelligence, "which is not typical in the modelling industry", Anya says, and suggested introducing her to a friend of his with connections in the fashion business: Epstein.
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 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
The president’s son called Navarro “my boy” and complimented him on the “jacked” physique he developed while in prison.
From Salon ● May 31, 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
He complimented me, saying I was articulate and asked if I could write.
From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals
Rosé kept it simple of the carpet tonight, complimenting her ice blonde hair with a simple black bow dress.
From BBC ● Feb. 28, 2026
Students who saw our campaign were more willing to take social risks, such as complimenting peers, expressing gratitude and asking for help when they needed it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
“You have to really have good stuff to be able to put up good results,” Ohtani said, while complimenting the talent of the Blue Jays’ offense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2025
Last week, she was the featured guest for an event hosted by The Free Press, whose founder, Bari Weiss, opened the conversation by complimenting Barrett’s pedicure.
From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2025
He stood up finally and said, “It’s a solid theory, Pudge,” and reached up and patted my shoulder, like a coach complimenting a player.
From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green
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.
