compliment
an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
an 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.
to express praise, commendation, or admiration of: 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: They were traveling to the capital to compliment the prince on the birth of a son.
to express praise, commendation, or admiration: He was known for a warm style of leadership in which he complimented and praised frequently.
Idioms about compliment
compliments of, given or donated by: Begin your day with a delicious continental breakfast, compliments of your hosts.I have a mystery tomato plant growing among my squash, apparently compliments of the birds and their droppings.
Origin of compliment
1confusables note For compliment
Other words for compliment
Opposites for compliment
Other words from compliment
- com·pli·ment·a·ble, adjective
- com·pli·ment·er, noun
- com·pli·ment·ing·ly, adverb
- out·com·pli·ment, verb (used with object)
- un·com·pli·ment·ed, adjective
- un·com·pli·ment·ing, adjective
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. 2024
How to use compliment in a sentence
In fact, they can be seen onstage where plexiglass walls separate the actors from the audience compliments of out scenic designer Clifton Chadick.
It’s one of those lines that sounds like a compliment, but lands more as a judgment, as though there’s something wrong with being single in your 30s.
‘The Bachelorette’s’ second premiere: New lead Tayshia Adams meets Clare Crawley’s leftovers | Lisa Bonos | November 11, 2020 | Washington PostThat is like the most amazing compliment that I have ever received.
Happy Birthday Nia Long! These Photos Prove She Absolutely Doesn’t Age | Charli Penn | October 30, 2020 | Essence.comThey also have superior team chemistry, with Butler wearing Herro’s high school jersey after big games and teammates dishing out compliments to an obnoxious degree.
Earlier this year, Epley and his colleague Xuan Zhao found that people tend to underestimate how much other people will appreciate their compliments, and so will often forego saying something nice.
People Are Discovering the Joy of Actually Talking on a Phone - Facts So Romantic | Brian Gallagher | September 23, 2020 | Nautilus
But instead of simply complimenting Harrington on his clever move, customers began asking if they could buy a set for themselves.
Terrapin Stationers, the Most Badass New Stationer | Lauren Sherman | July 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSome reports made it out that I was, you know, complimenting [Justice] Kennedy, that I was in love with this ruling.
Three peculiar creatures each take a journey through a vibrant, yet somber world, perfectly complimenting the tone of the track.
Selena Gomez, Lil Wayne & More Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO) | Jean Trinh | May 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTPeter Beinart, for example, implies such criticism in complimenting Alan Dershowitz for publicly supporting a settlement freeze.
Perkins even sent Sheridan a handwritten note later complimenting her on the “classy” way she handled herself.
Sheridan-Cherry Trial Reveals Ugliest Truth of ‘Desperate Housewives’ | Maria Elena Fernandez | March 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBarnes was buying it on the instalment system, and I quite won his heart by complimenting him on it.
Uncanny Tales | VariousI could not find an opportunity, after the audience, of complimenting him upon the progress which the prince had made.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferIf this form of complimenting must be acknowledged to be simple, it must be admitted to be very affectionate.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I | Francis Augustus CoxClemens had felt always such a reverence and awe for the great soldier that he had never dreamed of complimenting his literature.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow PaineThis fountain is of white marble, embellished with many festoons and Arabic distichs, complimenting the monarch and his princess.
The Book of Curiosities | I. Platts
British Dictionary definitions for compliment
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
(usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Origin of compliment
1confusable For compliment
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.
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