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“Complement” or “Compliment”

complement / compliment are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

complement k·AA·m·p·l·ah·m·ah·n·t

  • nouna word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction.
  • nouna complete number or quantity.
  • nounnumber needed to make up a whole force.
  • nounsomething added to complete or embellish or make perfect.
  • nounone of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response.
  • nouneither of two parts that mutually complete each other.
  • verbmake complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to.

compliment k·AA·m·p·l·ah·m·eh·n·t

  • nouna remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration.
  • verbsay something to someone that expresses praise.
  • verbexpress respect or esteem for.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“complement”

  • …series of watercolours designed to complement the song themes, in addition…
  • The boat had a complement of between forty-four and sixty.
  • …production, and created condiments to complement, preserve and mask the flavors…
  • …in purchasing 80–120 units to complement the fleet of Soviet T-55…
  • …a military national hero, to complement Rivadavia, and wrote a biography…
  • …wine together with dishes that complement each other such as an…
  • As much as they complement the movie, or serve the…
  • …of two main strategies — complement or contrast.
  • …the other serving as a complement to enhance the enjoyment of…
  • …other brand of products to complement its KDK line.

“compliment”

  • …majesty" he went on to compliment the debut further writing the…
  • …"I think it's a huge compliment for them to refer to…
  • …and novices with the highest compliment of all: an intelligence and…
  • …out of their way to compliment Simmons, and Simmons praised the…
  • …launched on social media to compliment the involved soldiers on their…
  • In February O'Neill returned the compliment and visited Lemass in Dublin.

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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