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.

---

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  

/ -trɪ, ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntərɪ /

adjective

1. conveying, containing, or resembling a compliment

2. expressing praise; flattering

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

---

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

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

Inflected Forms

noun

• complimentaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of complimentary

First recorded in 1620–30; compliment + -ary

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

After guiding us through a variety of stretches, he said everyone who came to class “deserves” a complimentary footprint analysis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

John, the actor said, was "very complimentary" about his performance in the 2019 biopic, for which he was nominated for a Bafta.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Employees at the store handed out complimentary gift bags and fresh flowers during the grand opening Wednesday morning.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

When it’s all done, I am treated to a plethora of snacks and a complimentary sticker.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

Freud’s picture of man’s nature was anything but complimentary, it was anything but religious.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

• appreciative
• congratulatory
• polite
• respectful