compliment
Americannoun
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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.
-
Archaic. a gift; present.
verb (used with object)
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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.
-
to congratulate.
They were traveling to the capital to compliment the prince on the birth of a son.
verb (used without object)
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
-
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
- complimentable adjective
- complimenter noun
- complimentingly adverb
- outcompliment verb (used with object)
- uncomplimented adjective
- uncomplimenting adjective
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” ( comply ) + -miento, noun suffix ( -ment ); earlier identical in spelling with complement
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.
The latter charge he no doubt would have taken as a compliment.
From Los Angeles Times
They have built their own language around scent—compliment factor, projection, signature scent—and it is playful and personal.
Last Thanksgiving was full of backhanded compliments and pointed remarks.
From MarketWatch
I’ve had zero patience for people who try to water down their response to #MeToo by saying, “Don’t people get to flirt anymore? Don’t they get to smile at each other? Can’t you compliment someone?”
From Salon
And that to me is like, that’s a penultimate compliment from another musician.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
