complimentary close

American  

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

Also complimentary closing

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of complimentary close

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Include a polite closing line, use a professional complimentary close, and type your full name.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

In formal official letters the complimentary close is Respectfully yours Yours respectfully.

From How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) A Complete Guide to Correct Business and Personal Correspondence by Crowther, Mary Owens

Position, in letters, of complimentary close, 163; of heading, 155; of inside address, 157; of salutation, 159; of outside address, 164.

From Practical Grammar and Composition by Wood, Thomas

The complimentary close of the letter is followed by a comma and the signature by a period.

From Social Life or, The Manners and Customs of Polite Society by Cooke, Maud C.

Never use "oblige" in the place of the complimentary close.

From How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) A Complete Guide to Correct Business and Personal Correspondence by Crowther, Mary Owens