Compliment vs Complement | Examples & Difference
The words compliment (with an “i”) and complement (with an “e”) have different meanings. Although they are spelled differently, they are pronounced in the same way.
Both words can be used as a noun or a transitive verb.
- A compliment (noun) is a statement or action that shows that you like or admire something or someone. To compliment (verb) means to say or show that you like or admire something or someone.
- A complement (noun) is something that goes together well with something else. To complement (verb) means to go together well with something.
| Compliment in a sentence examples | Complement in a sentence examples |
|---|---|
| He got lots of compliments on his new glasses when he wore them to work.
My boss complimented me on my presentation technique. |
Wild rice is an ideal complement to this dish.
I think the colors complement each other perfectly. |
A QuillBot Grammar Check can help you avoid mixing up commonly confused words like “compliment” and “complement.”
Compliment (approval)
A compliment (noun) is a polite comment or action intended to express admiration or appreciation. It frequently combines with the verbs “pay,” “mean,” “get” and “receive.”
He may have meant it as a compliment, but I think it was inappropriate to comment on her appearance like that.
I didn’t get any compliments on my karaoke performance!
It’s nice to receive compliments from your colleagues.
You can also use compliment as a verb. It is a regular verb and is often followed by the preposition “on.”
Maybe she wasn’t complimenting him and it was a sarcastic remark.
Complement (enhancement)
A complement (noun) is something that combines well with another thing to produce a pleasing result or improvement.
It is frequently used with the preposition “to.”
Forest green, as well as gold, is a perfect complement to this shade of red.
You can also use complement as a verb. It is often used with the adverbs “well” and “perfectly.”
Their voices complement one another perfectly.
A full complement of
The noun complement can also mean something that completes another thing. The phrase “a full complement of” means “the normal/complete amount of.”
Complimentary vs complementary
The adjectives complimentary (with an “i”) and complementary (with an “e”) have different meanings.
If you are complimentary about something, you are praising it or showing appreciation for it.
Complimentary can also mean “free of charge.”
If two things are complementary, they combine well with each other.
Fishing for compliments
If you are fishing for compliments, you are deliberately saying or doing something that you think will make other people give you compliments. For instance, criticizing yourself for something you have clearly done well or prominently displaying something you want to be complimented on.
Person B: It was great! You’re just fishing for compliments.
Person A: She was definitely fishing for compliments about her engagement ring!
Person B: I know, her hands were flat on the table throughout the meal!
Backhanded compliment
A backhanded compliment is an insult disguised as a compliment.
Person B: For once? Thanks for the backhanded compliment?
You can also use this expression to describe an action or situation that appears to be positive but can also be interpreted in a negative way.
Compliments of
You can describe something that is given free of charge as compliments of the person or company that is giving it.
We were given cocktails compliments of the house because of the long wait for our food.
Frequently asked questions about compliment vs complement
- Is it complements of or compliments of?
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The expression compliments of is spelled with an “i.”
Something that is given compliments of a person or company is given free of charge.
Compliment and complement are commonly confused words.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using phrases like “compliments of” correctly.
- What is another word for compliment?
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Another word for compliments is “praise” (e.g. “I received a lot of praise for my performance”).
Other synonyms for the noun compliment include “polite remark” and “flattering comment.”
Note that compliment and complement are commonly confused words. A complement (spelled with an “e”) is something that goes together well with something else.
The QuillBot Paraphraser can help you find synonyms for words like “compliment.”
- How do you spell compliment?
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Compliment and complement have different meanings.
A compliment (spelled with an “i”) is a polite remark that shows that you like something (e.g., “I got a lot of compliments at my art show”).
A complement (spelled with an “e”) is something that goes together well with something else (e.g., “This wine is a perfect complement to a summer dessert”).
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using words like “compliments” and “complements” correctly.
