complimentary

American  

[kom-pluh-men-tuh-ree, -tree] / ˌkɒm pləˈmɛn tə ri, -tri /

adjective

1. 

   given free as a gift or courtesy.

   The hotel gives repeat guests a complimentary gift basket

2. expressing a compliment, often one that is politely flattering.

   a complimentary remark.

   Synonyms:

   laudatory, commendatory

   Antonyms:

   abusive

3. showing or conveying approval or favor.

   Our project was received in a complimentary spirit by the community.

   His analysis of our work was not as complimentary as we were hoping it would be.

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noun

• complimentaries
  plural

1. something given or supplied without charge, such as lodging, transportation, or meals, especially as an inducement to prospective customers.

complimentary British  

/ ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. conveying, containing, or resembling a compliment

2. expressing praise; flattering

3. given free, esp as a courtesy or for publicity purposes

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Usage

What’s the difference between complimentary and complementary? Complimentary is an adjective that can describe something intended to be a compliment—a comment that expresses praise or admiration of someone (as in a complimentary remark). It can also be used to mean that something is given for free, as in I hope we get complimentary snacks on this flight. Complementary is an adjective used to describe something that complements something else—goes along with it and serves to make it better or complete it (as in complementary colors). Since the primary senses of both words are generally used in positive contexts, it can be easy to confuse them. The easiest way to remember the difference is that complementary often involves something that completes something else, and complete also starts with c-o-m-p-l-e. On the other hand, you can remember that complimentary is spelled with an i because compliments are something that I like to get (and give). Nice shirt, by the way. Here’s an example of complimentary and complementary used correctly in the same sentence. Example: Sometimes, when the chef overhears complimentary feedback about a dish, she sends out a complimentary bottle of wine—one that’s complementary to the rest of the meal, of course. Want to learn more? Read about the difference between compliment and complement.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• complimentariness
  noun
• intercomplimentary
  adjective
• quasi-complimentary
  adjective
• uncomplimentary
  adjective
• complimentarily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• complimentaries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of complimentary

First recorded in 1620–30; compliment + -ary

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Explanation

If you say something complimentary, like "Grandma, that plastic flower looks so pretty in your hair," you are flattering, praising or admiring someone. "Resembling a compliment" is one way to define the word complimentary, when you use it in the sense of giving praise. A second meaning of complimentary is "free." If your hotel includes breakfast with the price of your room, they may call it a complimentary breakfast. It's easy to get complimentary confused with complementary, which sounds exactly the same but means "filling in or completing."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

complimentary complimentaries

Schadenfreude isn’t listed among Airbnb’s amenities — but this week, it’s practically complimentary.

From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026

In the most complimentary way, I ask: What the heck was that first half, UCLA?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026

They "sincerely apologised" to the visitors affected, and said they would receive complimentary tickets as compensation.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

American now offers Bottega, an Italian sparkling wine, complimentary in the main cabin on international flights, in addition to the usual red and white.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

She continued hastily, “Don’t you suppose he could tell from the tone used that the words weren’t complimentary? Don’t you suppose he’s heard the words used before and noted upon what occasions?”

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

That, sir, he has to shew here; and confirmed under the hands of the most skilful and cunning complimentaries alive: Please you read, sir.

From Cynthia's Revels by Ben Jonson

Why, if I had an interest in your show I could fill your place with complimentaries 30 to the real people of Seaside Park.

From The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk by Victor [pseud.] Appleton

Through some unaccountable oversight, they neglected to specially mark or punch these complimentaries.

From A Pirate of Parts by Richard Neville

"Now sure, Captain Jack, ye's always full of your complimentaries," replied the sutler, taking the bridle of her customer.

From The Spy by James Fenimore Cooper

No a dime, he says; but he showed me a bunch of complimentaries and laughed and said he’d sell them cheap.

From The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park The Rival Photo Theatres of the Boardwalk by Victor [pseud.] Appleton

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Related Words

• appreciative
• congratulatory
• polite
• respectful

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