Heres a tip: A complement is related to completion, while a compliment relates to flattering words or acts. Everybody loves a compliment. Or is it a complement they love? If there is a published list of commonly confused words, complement and compliment are almost certain to appear. However, these two terms dont have to be on your personal list of befuddling vocabulary! Heres the breakdown. Show Heres a tip: Want to make sure your writing always looks great? Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites. Remember to check your understanding with the Compliment vs. Complement Quiz.  Complement DefinitionComplement and compliment used to share some meanings, because they derive from the same Latin root word. Complement used to mean to compliment, but that meaning is obsolete. Compliment has an archaic meaning also; it used to mean gift. How can you define complement? If you think complement looks a little like the word complete, that can help you to remember some of its most useful meanings. A complement is something that completes or perfects. Her dress perfectly complements the shade of her eyes. They make a great couple; their personalities are a perfect complement to one another. Heres an example from the web: In grammar, its a word or group of words that completes a grammatical construction: A complement is part of the predicate of a sentence and describes either the subject of the sentence or the direct object. If it modifies the subject, it is called a subject complement. If it modifies or renames the direct object and follows it, it is called an object complement. K12Reader.com In science, the complement system refers to proteins that circulate in your blood. The name of the system derives from its function. Specific proteins match specific antibodies. In other words, the proteins complement the antibodies. Here is a brief explanation from Washington.edu:
Complements also appear in mathematics. A complement is an amount added to something to complete it. In geometry, its the quantity that an angle or an arc is short of ninety degrees. Here are some examples from math websites: If our universal set is the states of the United States, then a possible subset is the set of the New England states . . . {Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont}. The complement of A would then be the set containing all of the other states that are not part of New England. Study.com When two angles add to 90°, we say they complement each other. Complementary comes from Latin completum meaning completed because the right angle is thought of as being a complete angle. MathIsFun.com In economics, the definition of complementary goods is interesting. These items have little or no value on their own, but they add value to other items. Investopedia gives hot dog buns as a real world example of this concept. Most people dont use hot dog buns alone, but they love them filled with hot dogs and all their favorite fixings. Complement as a VerbAs a verb, what does complement mean? In general, it means to complete, to provide something lacking, or form a complement to. Heres one example of complement in a sentence from the web:
Complement Synonyms
Compliment DefinitionHow do you define compliment? Its is an expression of praise, commendation, respect, or regard. It can be a formal act or as simple as a courteous greeting or wishing someone well. Notice these examples:
Compliment as a VerbThe verb compliment means to praise, congratulate, or say something admiring to someone. It can also include showing kindness. Compliments may come in the form of a friendly gesture or a gift.
Praise is not the only definition of compliment. Merriam-Webster Learners Dictionary helps demonstrate how native speakers might use the phrase compliments of with some examples. In the first example below, the phrase identifies the provider of something given at no charge. The second example uses the phrase sarcastically to refer to the source of something unwanted. We were served free drinks, compliments of the casino. I woke up with a stiff neck, compliments of that uncomfortable mattress in their guest room. Compliment Synonyms
Compliment vs. Complement Video SummaryCompliment vs. Complement: Tricks to Remember the DifferenceHow can you differentiate between compliment and complement? One trick is to give yourself a compliment: Are you smart, creative, or compassionate? Tell yourself so, and then acknowledge: I love how smart I am! When you acknowledge your compliment, you will recall that the letter I is the difference between compliment and complement. These terms are homophones, words that sound alike but have different definitions and spellings. This trick will also help you decide how to spell each word correctly in the proper context. If you are not a fan of tooting your own horn, you could associate the I with insult. An insult is the opposite of a compliment. To remember complement, think of the word enhance when you look at the E. Enhancement is a synonym of complement. Complimentary vs. ComplementaryWhat about the related words complimentary and complementary? Both of these words function as adjectives. Complimentary means expressing a compliment or favorable. It can also mean free in reference to items or services provided as a courtesy. Complementary refers to enhancing or emphasizing the qualities of another person or thing. Trump speaks often about harnessing the power of her family name. The nice thing about the things Im involved in is that theyre all complementary, she told the New York Times in 2013. Washingtonpost.com Powell Development Director Dave Betz said the developers behind both projects are making good headway toward building complementary projects with a shared-parking agreement. ThisWeeksNews.com In medicine, complementary refers to alternative medicine or additional treatment that is administered alongside traditional medicine. According to a 2012 survey, about 33% of American adults and 11% of children use complementary medicine. Between 2002 and 2012, the usage rates for chiropractors, acupuncture specialists, and yoga classes increased among those lacking insurance coverage. PharmacyTimes.com Compliment vs. Complement QuizIts common to mix up homophones. But homophones with mixed meanings take the cake. Use this quiz to test your knowledge of the homophones compliment and complement. Do you love nice compliments? If you are ready to remove compliment and complement from your personal list of confusing words, you deserve one! Good job on mastering two easily confused words! |
