Compliment vs Complement
What’s the difference between them?
Compliment
Meaning:
A compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration.
Examples:
1. I was so happy to receive such a nice compliment.
2. She was glowing after receiving the unexpected compliment.
3. His compliment made me feel confident and accepted.
Complement
Meaning:
An addition that improves or enhances something else; something that completes or makes perfect.
Examples:
1. The earrings were a perfect complement to her dress.
2. The salty chips complemented the sweet dip.
3. His sarcasm complemented her wit.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Compliment
1. Praise
2. Accolade
3. Extolment
4. Commend
5. Pay tribute
1. Criticize
2. Insult
3. Detract
4. Denounce
5. Disparage
Complement
1. Accompany
2. Supplement
3. Enhance
4. Round out
5. Add to
1. Contradict
2. Oppose
3. Disagree
4. Disparage
5. Refute
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Compliment", "Complement".
1. Mnemonic phrase: A compliment is a 'kind' comment, and a complement is something that 'completes.'
2. When in doubt, remember that 'compliment' is often used in reference to people or relationships, while 'complement' is usually associated with things or situations.
3. Focus on the pronunciation of the two words – 'complement' has a hard 'e' sound, and 'compliment' has a softer 'i' sound.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'compliment' be used?
Compliment should be used when expressing praise or admiration to someone else. It can be used to show your appreciation for someone’s efforts or characteristics, or to make someone feel better about themselves.
When is the appropriate context for using 'complement'?
Complement is used to describe something that improves or enhances something else, or completes it in some way. It can be used when talking about physical items, such as clothing, or when talking about ideas or philosophies.
Do 'compliment' and 'complement' share the same pronunciation?
No, compliment and complement do not share the same pronunciation. Compliment is pronounced with a long 'i' sound (com-ply-mint), while complement is pronounced with a long 'e' sound (com-ple-ment).
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake is using the wrong word. Compliment should be used when expressing praise or admiration to someone else, while complement should be used when describing something that improves or enhances something else. Another mistake is confusing the pronunciation of the two words.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She was so happy to receive a _________ from her boss.
2. The garden was a perfect _________ to the house.
3. His speech was full of _________ for the audience.
4. Her outfit was the perfect _________ to her shoes.
5. His friends gave him a lot of _________ for his work.
6. She gave me a _________ for my new haircut.
1. She was so happy to receive a compliment from her boss.
Explanation: A compliment is an expression of praise, admiration, or approval.
2. The garden was a perfect complement to the house.
Explanation: A complement is something that completes or makes something else look better.
3. His speech was full of compliments for the audience.
Explanation: A compliment is an expression of praise, admiration, or approval.
4. Her outfit was the perfect complement to her shoes.
Explanation: A complement is something that completes or makes something else look better.
5. His friends gave him a lot of compliments for his work.
Explanation: A compliment is an expression of praise, admiration, or approval.
6. She gave me a compliment for my new haircut.
Explanation: A compliment is an expression of praise, admiration, or approval.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.