complimentary close

[ kom-pluh-men-tuh-ree klohz, ‐men-tree ]

noun

the part of a letter that by convention immediately precedes the signature, as “Very truly yours,” “Cordially,” or “Sincerely yours.”

Origin of complimentary close

¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Also called closing, close.

Also com·pli·men·ta·ry clos·ing [kom-pluh-men-tuh-ree kloh-zing, ‐men-tree] /ˌkɒm pləˈmɛn tə ri ˈkloʊ zɪŋ, ‐ˈmɛn tri/ .

Words Nearby complimentary close

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use complimentary close in a sentence

The signature is written below the complimentary close and a little to the right, so that it ends about at the right-hand margin.
How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) | Mary Owens Crowther
The complimentary close of the letter is followed by a comma and the signature by a period.
Social Life | Maud C. Cooke
Washington's answer is cheerful, and its complimentary close exceptionally cordial.
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. I. (of II) | Moncure Daniel Conway

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