How to Use ‘Compliment’ vs. ‘Complement’ Properly

The word “compliment” is commonly used as a noun or verb to describe an act of praise or respect. The adjective “complimentary” can be used similarly to describe commendation or as a means to describe something given for free or as a favor, depending on the context.

The word “compliment” is commonly used as an expression of praise or admiration.

• Verb: I want to compliment you on your recent success.
• Noun: She received compliments for her design choices.
• Adjective: The seat upgrade comes with complimentary champagne.

The word “complement” is commonly used as a noun or verb to convey pairing well with or completing something, but there are many different uses for the word. In the arts, complementary colors refer to colors across from one another on the color wheel. The scientific term, "complement system," refers to an element of the human immune system. In mathematics, complementary angles are two angles whose sum is 90 degrees.

Though less commonly used, “a full complement” denotes having the full number of something required to be complete. For example, a carton could have a full complement of eggs and a ship could have a full complement of passengers.

The word ‘complement’ is used to connote one thing improving or pairing well with another.

• Noun: The mashed potatoes were a perfect complement to the steak.
• Verb: Their eyeshadow complemented their eye color perfectly.
• Adjective: The coworkers had contrasting yet complementary skill sets.

A helpful mnemonic device for choosing the correct word is to think of the phrase, "I like compliments." The subject pronoun, I, will remind you of the “i” in the middle of the word compliment and its common use as a means of praise. To remember the use for the word “complement,” remember that both complement and complete contain two “e” letters and share similar meanings.

Despite different spellings and different meanings, both “compliment” and “complement” come from the Latin word “complēmentum” with the Latin root “complēre,” meaning "to complete." It is not uncommon in the English language for there to be two words with identical pronunciation but different definitions, connotations, or root words. These words are known as homophones (same pronunciation, different meaning or spelling), homographs (same spelling, different meaning or pronunciation), or homonyms (can be homographs, homophones, or both).

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