‘Compliment’ vs. ‘complement’: When to use which

What does compliment mean?

“Compliment” can be used as a noun or a verb. When used as a noun, it means praise or best wishes. When adding the word “to” in front of “compliment,” it becomes a verb that describes the action of praising.

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Here are some examples of how the word “compliment” is used in the English language:

• She gave her a compliment on her outstanding recital performance.
• I just wanted to compliment you on your dress, it looks amazing on you!
• Has anyone ever complimented him on his listening skills?

What does complement mean?

By swapping out the “i” in “compliment” for an “e,” a different word with a separate meaning is born. “Complement” also works as a noun and a verb, and in both cases, the word is used to describe something that enhances or perfects something.

Here are some ways you can use the word “complement:”

• That vase is a perfect complement to the color scheme of the room.
• Your makeup really complements your eyes today!
• A good charcuterie board can complement the taste of red wine.

How to tell the difference between “compliment” and “complement”

An easy way to differentiate the two words is to think of the word “complete”. “Complement” and “complete” both come from the Latin word “complementum” and mean the same thing. The next time you’re trying to emphasize that the color of an object works well with its surroundings, think of how it completes the look.

What is the difference between “complimentary” versus “complementary?”

Once you’re able to tell the difference between “compliment” and “complement,” it should be easier to know how “complimentary” is different from “complementary”. However, the word “complimentary” is also often used to describe a gift or something that is given away for free. “Complimentary” is an adjective that means giving a compliment, but it can also indicate that something is on the house. You may also see instances where the word complimentary is shortened to “comped” when used in reference to a gift. If you’ve ever heard someone say they’ve been comped by their employer or by a restaurant, it means they have been reimbursed or given something for free.

Here are some examples where “complimentary” is used in different ways:

• Rachael was being so complimentary about Ryan’s promotion last week.
• The restaurant offered us a complimentary dessert after they gave us the wrong order.

“Complimentary” is used to indicate praise in the first sentence, and in the second sentence it means something was gifted at no cost.

On the other hand, “complementary” is an adjective that describes things that are going well or are in harmony. When using “complementary” in a sentence, it would look something like this:

• Michael and Laura make a good couple because of their complementary interests.

Using “complimentary” and “complementary” together

Now that we know how to tell these two homophones apart, let’s see what they look like when used together:

• Give my compliments to the chef! The dish was very flavorful, and the meat and the spices complemented each other well.

“Compliment” is a noun that indicates praise in the first sentence. In the second sentence, “complemented” is used to emphasize the fact that the meat and spices go together well in the dish.

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