compliment
[ noun kom-pluh-muhnt; verb kom-pluh-ment ]
/ noun ˈkɒm plə mənt; verb ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt /
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noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to pay compliments.
OTHER WORDS FOR compliment
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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, ” equivalent to cumpli(r) “to complete” + -miento noun suffix; see origin at comply,-ment; earlier identical in spelling with complement
words often confused with compliment
See complement.
OTHER WORDS FROM compliment
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compliment
complement, compliment (see confusables note at complement)Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use compliment in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for compliment
compliment
noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Word Origin for compliment
C17: from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to complete, do what is fitting, be polite
undefined compliment
Avoid confusion with complement
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with compliment
compliment
see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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