Compliment vs Complement: How to Choose

Introduction

Compliment and complement are near-homophones that differ by a single vowel in the middle: "i" versus "e." Despite this tiny difference, they have entirely separate meanings. A compliment is a kind remark or expression of praise. A complement is something that completes or enhances something else. Both words function as nouns and verbs, which adds another layer of potential confusion.

This distinction matters in professional and academic writing. A menu that describes a wine as "complementing" the dish says the wine enhances the meal. A menu that describes a wine as "complimenting" the dish (incorrectly) would suggest the wine is saying nice things about the food—a nonsensical image. Getting the right word demonstrates precision and care.

This dictionary.wiki guide covers both words thoroughly, including their adjective forms (complimentary and complementary), common errors, and the best memory tricks available.

What Does Compliment Mean?

Compliment functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means a polite expression of praise or admiration. As a verb, it means to give praise.

As a Noun

1. An expression of praise: "She received many compliments on her presentation."
2. A formal greeting or regard: "Please send my compliments to the chef."

As a Verb

1. To praise or express admiration: "He complimented her on her excellent work."
2. To congratulate: "I must compliment you on your achievement."

Etymology

Compliment entered English from French compliment, which came from Italian complimento, ultimately from Spanish cumplimiento (a fulfillment of courtesy). The word is related to "comply" and originally carried the sense of fulfilling social expectations of courtesy.

Word Forms

• Compliments (plural noun / third person verb): "She always gives sincere compliments." / "He compliments his staff regularly."
• Complimented: "The teacher complimented the student's essay."
• Complimenting: "Stop complimenting me—you're making me blush."
• Complimentary (adjective): Can mean "expressing praise" or "given free of charge."

What Does Complement Mean?

Complement also functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it means something that completes, enhances, or brings to perfection. As a verb, it means to make complete or to enhance by combining.

As a Noun

1. Something that completes: "A good wine is the perfect complement to a fine meal."
2. The full number or quantity: "The ship sailed with a full complement of 200 crew members."
3. A grammatical term: "In 'She is a doctor,' the noun 'doctor' is the subject complement."
4. A mathematical/scientific term: "The complement of a 30-degree angle is 60 degrees."

As a Verb

1. To complete or enhance: "The scarf complements her outfit beautifully."
2. To bring to perfection: "The two skills complement each other perfectly."

Etymology

Complement comes from the Latin complementum, meaning "that which fills up or completes," from complere ("to fill up"). The root plere (to fill) connects it to words like "complete," "replete," and "deplete."

Word Forms

• Complements: "The salsa complements the grilled fish perfectly."
• Complemented: "Her analytical skills complemented his creative thinking."
• Complementing: "The accessories are complementing the room's decor."
• Complementary (adjective): "The two departments have complementary strengths."

Side-by-Side Comparison

Examples in Sentences

Compliment

• "Thank you for the kind compliment about my garden."
• "He complimented her cooking and asked for the recipe."
• "She paid him a compliment on his new haircut."
• "I'd like to compliment the team on their outstanding performance."
• "His compliments seemed genuine rather than forced."

Complement

• "The earrings are a perfect complement to her dress."
• "Red wine complements most red meat dishes."
• "Their skills complement each other, making them an effective team."
• "The hotel has a full complement of amenities."
• "The warm colors complement the rustic decor of the cabin."

Both in One Sentence

• "She complimented the designer on choosing colors that complement each other so well."
• "I want to compliment you on finding a tie that perfectly complements your suit."

Complimentary vs Complementary

The adjective forms cause their own confusion because both are common and both sound similar.

Complimentary (with "i")

1. Expressing praise: "The reviews were highly complimentary."
2. Given free of charge: "The hotel offers complimentary breakfast to all guests."

The "free of charge" meaning connects to the idea of courtesy—giving something as a gesture of goodwill, as a "compliment" to the customer.

Complementary (with "e")

1. Completing or enhancing each other: "The two reports provide complementary perspectives on the issue."
2. In math/science: "Complementary angles add up to 90 degrees."
3. Complementary colors: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel that create contrast.
4. Complementary medicine: Alternative treatments used alongside conventional medicine.

A common error is writing "complimentary colors" when you mean colors that enhance each other. Colors don't give praise—they complement (complete) each other, so the correct spelling is complementary colors.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: "The Wine Compliments the Dish"

Incorrect: "This Cabernet compliments the steak perfectly."
Correct: "This Cabernet complements the steak perfectly."

The wine enhances the dish—it doesn't say nice things about it.

Mistake 2: "She Complemented His Tie"

Incorrect: "She complemented him on his new tie."
Correct: "She complimented him on his new tie."

She praised his tie—she didn't complete it. For more on tricky word pairs, see affect vs effect.

Memory Tricks

The "I" = "I Like You" Trick

Compliment has an "i." When you give a compliment, you're saying "I like something about you." The "i" in compliment stands for the personal, praising nature of the word.

The "E" = "complEte" Trick

Complement has an "e," just like complete. A complement completes something—both words share the "e" and the idea of filling in what's missing.

The Context Test

• Is someone saying something nice? → compliment
• Are two things working well together? → complement

Summary

Compliment (with "i") means praise—"I like you." Complement (with "e") means complete or enhance—like "complete." The "i" and "e" are your keys. This applies equally to the adjective forms: complimentary means praising or free, while complementary means completing or enhancing.

For more word guides, visit dictionary.wiki and explore English grammar basics and commonly misspelled words.