Complement vs. Compliment — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
Complement means something that completes or goes well with something. Compliment means an expression of praise or admiration.
Difference Between Complement and Compliment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Complement refers to something that completes or enhances something else when the two are put together. For example, a belt can be a complement to a dress if it enhances the overall look.
Compliment, on the other hand, is a polite expression of praise or admiration. For instance, telling someone they have done a good job is paying them a compliment.
Using "complement" correctly in a sentence indicates a relationship where two elements enhance each other, while using "compliment" pertains to giving praise or expressing admiration.
One might say a wine complements a meal if it enhances the dining experience. Conversely, after enjoying the meal, you might compliment the chef on the delicious food.
To maintain clarity in communication, it's essential to distinguish between complement and compliment. Their meanings are distinct, and misusing them can lead to misunderstanding.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Something that completes or enhances
An expression of praise
Nature
Functional relationship
Social interaction
Usage Example
"The sauce is a perfect complement to the fish."
"She received a compliment on her writing."
Contexts
Often used in design, art, fashion, food
Common in personal interactions, feedback
Outcome
Creates a complete or better whole
Conveys appreciation or admiration
Compare with Definitions
Complement
A full crew.
The ship sailed with its complement of sailors.
Compliment
Flattering remarks.
His compliments about her cooking made her smile.
Complement
A mathematical term.
The complement of an angle adds to 90 degrees.
Compliment
An expression of praise.
He gave her a compliment on her eloquent speech.
Complement
Something that completes, makes up a whole, or brings to perfection
A sauce that is a fine complement to fish.
Compliment
Acts of courtesy.
Compliments of the house, enjoy this free dessert.
Complement
The quantity or number needed to make up a whole
Shelves with a full complement of books.
Compliment
Respectful recognition.
They exchanged compliments after the debate.
Complement
The full crew of personnel required to run a ship.
Compliment
A polite expression of praise or admiration
She paid me an enormous compliment
Complement
Either of two parts that complete the whole or mutually complete each other.
Compliment
Politely congratulate or praise (someone) for something
He complimented Erika on her appearance
Complement
An angle related to another so that the sum of their measures is 90°.
Compliment
An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation.
Complement
(Grammar) A word or words used to complete a predicate construction, especially the object or indirect object of a verb, for example, the phrase to eat ice cream in We like to eat ice cream.
Compliment
A formal act of civility, courtesy, or respect.
Complement
(Music) An interval that completes an octave when added to a given interval.
Compliment
Compliments Good wishes; regards
Extend my compliments to your parents. See Usage Note at complement.
Complement
(Immunology) A complex system of proteins found in blood plasma that are sequentially activated and play various roles in the immune response, including lysing bacterial cell membranes, making pathogens more susceptible to phagocytes, and recruiting inflammatory cells to sites of infection or injury. Also called alexin.
Compliment
To pay a compliment to.
Complement
Mathematics & Logic For a universal set, the set of all elements in the set that are not in a specified subset.
Compliment
To show fondness, regard, or respect for by giving a gift or performing a favor.
Complement
A complementary color.
Compliment
An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect.
Pay someone a compliment
Complement
To serve as a complement to
Roses in a silver bowl complement the handsome cherry table.
Compliment
(uncountable) Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.
Complement
Something (or someone) that completes; the consummation.
Compliment
Misspelling of complement
Complement
(obsolete) The act of completing something, or the fact of being complete; completion, completeness, fulfilment.
Compliment
(ambitransitive) To pay a compliment (to someone); to express a favourable opinion (of someone).
Complement
The totality, the full amount or number which completes something.
Compliment
Misspelling of complement
Complement
(obsolete) Something which completes one's equipment, dress etc.; an accessory.
Compliment
An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting; as, to send one's compliments to a friend.
Tedious waste of time, to sit and hearSo many hollow compliments and lies.
Many a compliment politely penned.
Complement
(nautical) The whole working force of a vessel.
Compliment
To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.
Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun their friends.
Complement
(heraldry) Fullness (of the moon).
Compliment
To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.
I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another.
Complement
An angle which, together with a given angle, makes a right angle.
Compliment
A remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
Complement
Something which completes, something which combines with something else to make up a complete whole; loosely, something perceived to be a harmonious or desirable partner or addition.
Compliment
Say something to someone that expresses praise;
He complimented her on her last physics paper
Complement
A word or group of words that completes a grammatical construction in the predicate and that describes or is identified with the subject or object.
Compliment
Express respect or esteem for
Complement
(music) An interval which, together with the given interval, makes an octave.
Compliment
A polite acknowledgment.
She blushed at the unexpected compliment.
Complement
(optics) The color which, when mixed with the given color, gives black (for mixing pigments) or white (for mixing light).
The complement of blue is orange.
Complement
(set theory) Given two sets, the set containing one set's elements that are not members of the other set (whether a relative complement or an absolute complement).
The complement of the odd numbers is the even numbers, relative to the natural numbers.
Complement
(immunology) One of several blood proteins that work with antibodies during an immune response.
Complement
(logic) An expression related to some other expression such that it is true under the same conditions that make other false, and vice versa.
Complement
(electronics) A voltage level with the opposite logical sense to the given one.
Complement
(computing) A bit with the opposite value to the given one; the logical complement of a number.
Complement
The diminished radix complement of a number; the nines' complement of a decimal number; the ones' complement of a binary number.
The complement of is .
Complement
The radix complement of a number; the two's complement of a binary number.
The complement of is .
Complement
The numeric complement of a number.
The complement of −123 is 123.
Complement
(genetics) A nucleotide sequence in which each base is replaced by the complementary base of the given sequence: adenine (A) by thymine (T) or uracil (U), cytosine (C) by guanine (G), and vice versa.
A DNA molecule is formed from two strands, each of which is the complement of the other.
Complement
(biochemistry) alexin
Complement
(economics) complementary good
Complement
To complete, to bring to perfection, to make whole.
We believe your addition will complement the team.
Complement
To provide what the partner lacks and lack what the partner provides, thus forming part of a whole.
The flavors of the pepper and garlic complement each other, giving a very rich taste in combination.
I believe our talents really complement each other.
Complement
To change a voltage, number, color, etc. to its complement.
Complement
(obsolete) Old form of compliment
Complement
That which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete.
Complement
That which is required to supply a deficiency, or to complete a symmetrical whole.
History is the complement of poetry.
Complement
Full quantity, number, or amount; a complete set; completeness.
To exceed his complement and number appointed him which was one hundred and twenty persons.
Complement
A second quantity added to a given quantity to make it equal to a third given quantity.
Complement
Something added for ornamentation; an accessory.
Without vain art or curious complements.
Complement
The whole working force of a vessel.
Complement
The interval wanting to complete the octave; - the fourth is the complement of the fifth, the sixth of the third.
Complement
A compliment.
Complement
To supply a lack; to supplement.
Complement
To compliment.
Complement
A word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction
Complement
A complete number or quantity;
A full complement
Complement
Number needed to make up whole force;
A full complement of workers
Complement
Something added to complete or make perfect;
A fine wine is a perfect complement to the dinner
Complement
One of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response
Complement
Either of two parts that mutually complete each other
Complement
Make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to;
I need some pepper to complement the sweet touch in the soup
Complement
Something that completes.
Salt is a perfect complement to pepper.
Complement
That which brings to perfection.
The tie was a fine complement to his suit.
Complement
Enhancing or improving.
Her skills are a complement to the team.
Common Curiosities
Is "complements of the chef" correct?
No, the correct phrase is "compliments of the chef," meaning the chef has given something as a gesture of goodwill.
Can "complement" and "compliment" be used interchangeably?
No, they have different meanings and should be used in their respective contexts.
How do you remember the difference between complement and compliment?
"Complement" with an "e" is for "complete," and "compliment" with an "i" is for "I admire you."
Can food complement each other?
Yes, foods that go well together can be said to complement each other.
What does "backhanded compliment" mean?
It's a compliment that is also an insult or could be taken as one.
What is a compliment?
A compliment is a polite expression of praise or admiration.
What is a complement?
A complement is something that completes or goes well with something else.
Can a person be a complement to another?
Yes, one person can complement another if they bring out the best in each other.
Is "complementary" related to "complement"?
Yes, "complementary" describes something that complements or completes something else.
What is the adjective form of "compliment"?
The adjective form is "complimentary."
Can businesses use compliments in their strategy?
Yes, businesses can use compliments to enhance customer satisfaction and relationships.
How do you use "complement" in a sentence related to color schemes?
"The blue curtains are a great complement to the yellow walls."
What is the adjective form of "complement"?
The adjective form is "complementary."
Is "complimentary" related to "compliment"?
Yes, "complimentary" can mean both given free, like a compliment, or related to giving compliments.
How do you use "compliment" in a sentence related to personal appearance?
"He paid her a compliment on her elegant dress."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
