DEFINITIONS
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compliment

[ noun kom-pluh-muhnt; verb kom-pluh-ment ]
/ noun ˈkɒm plə mənt; verb ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR compliment ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to pay compliments.

Content related to compliment

“Compliment” vs. “Complement”: How To Pick The Right WordCompliment and complement are commonly confused terms because they're pronounced alike and originally shared some meanings ...
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Words related to compliment

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

Words nearby compliment

complication, complice, complicit, complicity, complier, compliment, complimentary, complimentary close, compline, complot, comply

Origin of compliment

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

OTHER WORDS FROM compliment

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compliment

complement compliment (see usage note at complement)

usage note for compliment

See complement.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for complimenting

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

undefined compliment

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

Idioms and Phrases with complimenting

compliment

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.