Free vs. Complimentary — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 21, 2024
Free items incur no cost to the recipient, emphasizing availability without financial charge; complimentary items are given at no charge as a gesture of service or goodwill.
Difference Between Free and Complimentary
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Free typically describes items or services available without any monetary charge. This term broadly applies across various contexts, from free samples in stores to free admission to events. Complimentary, on the other hand, specifically refers to goods or services provided at no cost as a courtesy or for promotional reasons, often associated with hospitality industries like hotels and restaurants.
When something is labeled as free, it is often used as a promotional tool to attract attention or as a direct incentive for consumers. Whereas complimentary items are frequently part of a larger customer service strategy, enhancing the overall customer experience and building loyalty.
Free can also imply a lack of restrictions beyond just financial aspects, such as free speech or free movement. Complimentary, however, is typically confined to the context of transactions or interactions, highlighting a business's approach to customer satisfaction.
In terms of usage, 'free' can be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun, providing a broader range of application in the English language. Complimentary is generally used as an adjective, limiting its versatility but emphasizing its specific application in polite or promotional contexts.
While free services or products might be available to a wide audience without discrimination, complimentary items are often targeted at specific groups, such as hotel guests or conference attendees, indicating a more selective approach.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Provided without cost
Provided as a courtesy
Context
Broad usage across all fields
Often used in service industries
Connotation
No financial charge
Enhances customer experience
Usage in Language
Adjective, adverb, noun
Mainly adjective
Target Audience
General public
Specific groups or individuals
Compare with Definitions
Free
Without restraint;
Cows in India are running loose
Complimentary
Included in the overall service without additional charge.
Complimentary toiletries are provided in each bathroom.
Free
Not costing or charging anything.
The museum offers free admission on Sundays.
Complimentary
Free of charge, specifically in a service context.
Complimentary tickets were given to the first 100 attendees.
Free
Not under control or in the power of another.
He wanted to live a free life.
Complimentary
Serving to complete something.
The complimentary software enhances the device's functionality.
Free
Exempt from external authority.
This territory is free from the local regulations.
Complimentary
Expressing a compliment, often used in the sense of praising.
He made some complimentary remarks about her writing.
Free
Without engagements or obligations.
She is free this evening for dinner.
Complimentary
Given free as a courtesy.
The hotel provides complimentary breakfast to all its guests.
Free
Able to act or be done as one wishes; not under the control of another
I have no ambitions other than to have a happy life and be free
A free choice
Complimentary
Expressing, using, or resembling a compliment
A concert that received complimentary reviews.
Free
Not or no longer confined or imprisoned
Police were forced to let him walk free
The researchers set the birds free
Complimentary
Given as a courtesy at no charge
Complimentary copies of the new book.
Free
Not subject to engagements or obligations
She spent her free time shopping
Complimentary
In the nature of a compliment.
A complimentary remark
Free
Not subject to or affected by (something undesirable)
Our salsas are free of preservatives
Complimentary
Free; provided at no charge.
Complimentary drinks
Free
Given or available without charge
Free health care
Complimentary
With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.
Free
Using or expending something without restraint; lavish
She was always free with her money
Complimentary
Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket.
Free
(of literature or music) not observing the normal conventions of style or form.
Complimentary
Conveying or resembling a compliment;
A complimentary remark
Free
(of the wind) blowing from a favourable direction to the side or aft of a vessel.
Complimentary
Costing nothing;
Complimentary tickets
Free
Without cost or payment
Ladies were admitted free
Free
With the sheets eased
I kept her off the wind and sailing free until I had all square forward
Free
Release from confinement or slavery
They were freed from jail
Free
Remove something undesirable or restrictive from
His inheritance freed him from financial constraints
Free your body of excess tension
Free
Make available for a particular purpose
We are freeing management time for alternative work
Free
Not imprisoned or confined
Walked out of prison a free man.
Set the birds free.
Free
Not controlled by obligation or the will of another
Felt free to go.
Free
Not controlled by another country or political power; independent
A free nation.
Free
Governed by consent and possessing or granting civil liberties
A free citizenry.
Free
Not subject to arbitrary interference by a government
A free press.
Free
Not enslaved.
Free
Not affected or restricted by a given condition or circumstance
A healthy animal, free of disease.
People free from need.
Free
Not subject to a given condition; exempt
Income that is free of all taxes.
Free
Not bound by convention or the rules of form
A free artistic style.
Free
Not literal or exact
A free translation.
Free
Costing nothing; gratuitous
A free meal.
Free
Publicly supported
Free education.
Free
Unobstructed; clear
A free lane on the highway.
Free
Not occupied or used
A free locker.
Free energy.
Free
Not taken up by scheduled activities
Free time between classes.
Free
Immoderate in giving or spending; liberal or lavish
Tourists who are free with their money.
Free
Frank or unguarded in expression or manner; open or outspoken
She is very free with her opinions.
Free
Given, made, or done of one's own accord; voluntary or spontaneous
A free act of the will.
Free choices.
Free
Unconstrained; unconfined
Free expansion.
Free
Not fixed in position; capable of relatively unrestricted motion
A free electron.
Free
Not chemically bound in a molecule
Free oxygen.
Free
Involving no collisions or interactions
A free path.
Free
Empty or unoccupied
A free space.
An atom with a free energy level.
Free
(Nautical) Favorable
A free wind.
Free
Not bound, fastened, or attached
The free end of a chain.
Free
Being a form, especially a morpheme, that can stand as an independent word, such as boat or bring.
Free
Being a vowel in an open syllable, as the o in go.
Free
In a free manner; without restraint.
Free
Without charge.
Free
To make free, as from confinement or oppression
Freed the slaves.
Free
To relieve of a burden, obligation, or restraint
A people who were at last freed from fear.
Free
To remove obstructions or entanglements from; clear
Free a path through the jungle.
Free
To make available
Canceling the program freed up money for the new library.
Free
Freestyle.
Free
(social) Unconstrained.
He was given free rein to do whatever he wanted.
Free
Not imprisoned or enslaved.
A free man
Free
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust
Free
Generous; liberal.
He's very free with his money.
Free
(obsolete) Clear of offence or crime; guiltless; innocent.
Free
Without obligations.
Free time
Free
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed.
A free school
Free
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; said of a government, institutions, etc.
This is a free country.
Free
(software) With no or only freedom-preserving limitations on distribution or modification.
OpenOffice is free software.
Free
(software) Intended for release, as opposed to a checked version.
Free
Obtainable without any payment.
The government provides free health care.
It's free real estate.
Free
Complimentary
Buy a TV to get a free DVD player!
Free
(abstract) Unconstrained.
Free
(mathematics) Unconstrained by relators.
The free group on three generators
Free
Unconstrained by quantifiers.
is the free variable in .
Free
(programming) Unconstrained of identifiers, not bound.
Free
(linguistics) of a morpheme That can be used by itself, unattached to another morpheme.
Free
(physical) Unconstrained.
Free
Unobstructed, without blockages.
The drain was free
Free
Unattached or uncombined.
A free radical
Free
Not currently in use; not taken; unoccupied.
You can sit on this chair; it's free.
Free
Not attached; loose.
In this group of mushrooms, the gills are free.
Free
(military) Of a rocket or missile: not under the control of a guidance system after being launched.
Free
Without; not containing (what is specified); exempt; clear; liberated.
We had a wholesome, filling meal, free of meat.
I would like to live free from care in the mountains.
Free
(dated) Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited.
A free horse
Free
(dated) Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; followed by of.
Free
Certain or honourable; the opposite of base.
Free service;
Free socage
Free
(legal) Privileged or individual; the opposite of common.
A free fishery;
A free warren
Free
Without needing to pay.
I got this bike free.
Free
(obsolete) Freely; willingly.
Free
(transitive) To make free; set at liberty; release.
Free
(transitive) To rid of something that confines or oppresses.
Free
To relinquish (previously allocated memory) to the system.
Free
Abbreviation of free kick
Free
(association football) A free transfer.
Free
(hurling) The usual means of restarting play after a foul is committed, where the non-offending team restarts from where the foul was committed.
Free
Abbreviation of freestyle
The team won the 200 meters free relay.
Free
Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free.
Free
Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and defended by them from encroachments upon natural or acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
Free
Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control of parents, guardian, or master.
Free
Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest; liberated; at liberty to go.
Set an unhappy prisoner free.
Free
Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; - said of the will.
Not free, what proof could they have given sincereOf true allegiance, constant faith, or love.
Free
Clear of offense or crime; guiltless; innocent.
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free.
Free
Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved; ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative.
He was free only with a few.
Free
Unrestrained; immoderate; lavish; licentious; - used in a bad sense.
The critics have been very free in their censures.
A man may live a free life as to wine or women.
Free
Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed; lavish; as, free with his money.
Free
Exempt; clear; released; liberated; not encumbered or troubled with; as, free from pain; free from a burden; - followed by from, or, rarely, by of.
Princes declaring themselves free from the obligations of their treaties.
Free
Characteristic of one acting without restraint; charming; easy.
Free
Ready; eager; acting without spurring or whipping; spirited; as, a free horse.
Free
Invested with a particular freedom or franchise; enjoying certain immunities or privileges; admitted to special rights; - followed by of.
He therefore makes all birds, of every sect,Free of his farm.
Free
Thrown open, or made accessible, to all; to be enjoyed without limitations; unrestricted; not obstructed, engrossed, or appropriated; open; - said of a thing to be possessed or enjoyed; as, a free school.
Why, sir, I pray, are not the streets as freeFor me as for you?
Free
Not gained by importunity or purchase; gratuitous; spontaneous; as, free admission; a free gift.
Free
Not arbitrary or despotic; assuring liberty; defending individual rights against encroachment by any person or class; instituted by a free people; - said of a government, institutions, etc.
Free
Certain or honorable; the opposite of base; as, free service; free socage.
Free
Privileged or individual; the opposite of common; as, a free fishery; a free warren.
Free
Not united or combined with anything else; separated; dissevered; unattached; at liberty to escape; as, free carbonic acid gas; free cells.
Free
Freely; willingly.
I as free forgive youAs I would be forgiven.
Free
Without charge; as, children admitted free.
Free
To make free; to set at liberty; to rid of that which confines, limits, embarrasses, oppresses, etc.; to release; to disengage; to clear; - followed by from, and sometimes by off; as, to free a captive or a slave; to be freed of these inconveniences.
Our land is from the rage of tigers freed.
Arise, . . . free thy people from their yoke.
Free
To remove, as something that confines or bars; to relieve from the constraint of.
This master keyFrees every lock, and leads us to his person.
Free
To frank.
Free
People who are free;
The home of the free and the brave
Free
Grant freedom to; free from confinement
Free
Relieve from;
Rid the the house of pests
Free
Remove or force out from a position;
The dentist dislodged the piece of food that had been stuck under my gums
He finally could free the legs of the earthquake victim who was buried in the rubble
Free
Grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to;
She exempted me from the exam
Free
Make (information) available publication;
Release the list with the names of the prisoners
Free
Free from obligations or duties
Free
Free or remove obstruction from;
Free a path across the cluttered floor
Free
Let off the hook;
I absolve you from this responsibility
Free
Part with a possession or right;
I am relinquishing my bedroom to the long-term house guest
Resign a claim to the throne
Free
Make (assets) available;
Release the holdings in the dictator's bank account
Free
Able to act at will; not hampered; not under compulsion or restraint;
Free enterprise
A free port
A free country
I have an hour free
Free will
Free of racism
Feel free to stay as long as you wish
A free choice
Free
Unconstrained or not chemically bound in a molecule or not fixed and capable of relatively unrestricted motion;
Free expansion
Free oxygen
A free electron
Free
Costing nothing;
Complimentary tickets
Free
Not occupied or in use;
A free locker
A free lane
Free
Not fixed in position;
The detached shutter fell on him
He pulled his arm free and ran
Free
Not held in servitude;
After the Civil War he was a free man
Free
Not taken up by scheduled activities;
A free hour between classes
Spare time on my hands
Free
Not literal;
A loose interpretation of what she had been told
A free translation of the poem
Common Curiosities
How is "complimentary" commonly used?
Complimentary is used to describe items or services given as a courtesy or for free in certain contexts, like hotels.
What does "free" mean in everyday use?
Free refers to something provided without any financial cost.
Can "free" and "complimentary" be used interchangeably?
While they can be similar, "complimentary" often carries an implication of being part of a service or courtesy.
What does "complimentary" imply in customer service?
It implies efforts to enhance customer satisfaction through additional free services.
Can something be "free" in a restrictive context?
Typically, "free" is used to denote lack of restrictions, unlike "complimentary."
What types of businesses frequently use "complimentary"?
Hospitality businesses like hotels and restaurants.
Is "free" applicable in legal terms?
Yes, such as in "free from liability."
What are examples of "free" being used beyond cost implications?
Free speech and free movement, where it implies no restrictions or control.
How do businesses benefit from offering things for free?
Offering things for free can attract more customers and increase visibility.
How do businesses benefit from offering complimentary services?
These enhance customer loyalty and improve service experience.
Is there a cultural aspect to offering something as "complimentary"?
Yes, in many cultures, offering complimentary items reflects hospitality and good customer service.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
