Complement
- “complement or compliment”
- “complementary or complimentary”
- “colours that compliment each other”
- “complimentary drinks spelling”
01 · Side by side
Side by side
Comparison sheet
| Aspect | Complement | Compliment |
|---|---|---|
| Means | Something that completes or improves | An expression of praise |
| Example | 'The sauce complements the fish.' | 'She complimented my cooking.' |
| Adjective | Complementary: working well together | Complimentary: praising, or free of charge |
| In English since | Late Middle English (via Latin) | Mid-17th century (via French and Italian) |
02 · Which one you meant
Which one did you mean?
In shortReaders who land here meaning Complement rather than Compliment are usually searching for phrases like “complement or compliment”, “complementary or complimentary”, “colours that compliment each other”.
03 · Read either one