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“Complementary” or “Complimentary”

complementary / complimentary 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.

Definitions

What each term means

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

complementary AA·m·p·l·ah·m·EH·n·t·r·iy

  • adjectiveof words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other.

complimentary AA·m·p·l·ah·m·EH·n·t·er·iy

  • adjectiveconveying or resembling a compliment.
  • adjectivecosting nothing.
Usage

Examples in context

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

“complementary”

  • The construction of the complementary buildings and structures like administrative
  • For most of history, the "complementary strategy" was the prevailing thought
  • training auxiliar field and other complementary works.
  • lines are generally of a complementary color.
  • Complementary pairs
  • of Iraq—granted refugee status or complementary protection to only 8.7 percent
  • Complementary Latin group layout
  • Record Changer and Record of Complementary Design", RCA Review, June 1949
  • 1998, Meri was given the complementary award and titled the Year's
  • The semivowels and are in complementary distribution with ,

“complimentary”

  • routes are not eligible for Complimentary Premier upgrades, although MileagePlus members
  • Only beverages are complimentary in economy on North America
  • discussion of resilience research and complimentary science found on the Research
  • these flights are eligible for complimentary premier upgrades.
  • Leonard Maltin was less complimentary, calling the film an "overheated
  • flights, Air France also serves complimentary champagne to passengers in all
  • Busch was complimentary of the finish, "I can't
  • It gave away complimentary subscriptions among a selected group
  • Meals are complimentary on all other international flights.
  • It also received complimentary comments from DJs.

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

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