compliment

[noun kom-pluh-muhnt; verb kom-pluh-ment]

See more synonyms for compliment on Thesaurus.com

noun

an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards: He sends you his compliments.

Archaic. a gift; present.

verb (used with object)

to pay a compliment to: She complimented the child on his good behavior.
to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
to congratulate; felicitate: to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.

verb (used without object)

to pay compliments.

Origin of compliment

1570–80; < French < Italian complimento < Spanish cumplimiento, equivalent to cumpli- (see comply) + -miento -ment; earlier identical in spelling with complement

Related formscom·pli·ment·a·ble, adjectivecom·pli·ment·er, nouncom·pli·ment·ing·ly, adverbout·com·pli·ment, verb (used with object)un·com·pli·ment·ed, adjectiveun·com·pli·ment·ing, adjective

Can be confusedcomplement compliment (see usage note at complement)

Synonyms for compliment

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

1. kudos, tribute, eulogy, panegyric. 5. commend, praise, honor.

Antonyms for compliment

1. disparagement.

Usage note

See complement.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for complimenting

congratulate, applaud, laud, commend, cajole, endorse, extol, toast, satisfy, glorify, magnify, felicitate, eulogize, sanction, please, hail, worship, soothe, exalt, cheer

Examples from the Web for complimenting

Contemporary Examples of complimenting

Some reports made it out that I was, you know, complimenting [Justice] Kennedy, that I was in love with this ruling.
Rand Paul: I’m Not My Dad
David Catanese
June 29, 2013
Peter Beinart, for example, implies such criticism in complimenting Alan Dershowitz for publicly supporting a settlement freeze.
In Defense of Israel Advocacy
David Bernstein
July 9, 2012
Even Gingrich, after complimenting Cain's attempt to simplify a complex idea, took a jab at the pizza guy.
GOP Debate Live Updates
October 18, 2011
They both thanked staff and posed for pictures, with Palin complimenting the “real New York City pizza.”
Sarah Palin and Donald Trump's Pizza Summit
Shushannah Walshe
June 1, 2011

Historical Examples of complimenting

She has been complimenting me upon it; and upon the visit of my uncle Harlowe.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
I spoke to her in French, complimenting her on the appearance of the place.
The Forest
Stewart Edward White
"Yes, miss," said Pitapat, who thought that her mistress was complimenting her.
Hidden Hand
Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth
For a moment, he considered calling in the chief clerk and complimenting him.
Final Weapon
Everett B. Cole
"No doubt you think that you are complimenting me in comparing me to Dupin," he observed.
A Study In Scarlet
Arthur Conan Doyle

British Dictionary definitions for complimenting

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

confusable

Avoid confusion with complement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for complimenting

compliment

"An act, or expression of civility, usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares" [Johnson], 1570s, complement, via French compliment (17c.), from Italian complimento "expression of respect and civility," from Vulgar Latin *complire, for Latin complere "to complete" (see complete (adj.)), via notion of "complete the obligations of politeness." Same word as complement but by a different etymological route; differentiated by spelling after 1650.

compliment

1610s, from French complimenter, from compliment (see compliment (n.)). Related: Complimented; complimenting.

Idioms and Phrases with complimenting

compliment

see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.