compliment

Language: en

1. 🇬🇧 /ˈkɒm.plɪ.mənt/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkɑːm.plə.mənt/
2. 🇬🇧 /ˈkɒm.plɪ.ment/ 🇺🇸 /ˈkɑːm.plə.ment/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A polite expression of praise or admiration directed toward a person or thing.; A formal expression of courtesy or respect, often used in the plural to convey regards or greetings.; Something given free of charge as a courtesy or gesture of goodwill.; An act or expression that shows respect or honor, often in a ceremonial or formal context.
  2. verb
    To express praise, admiration, or approval toward someone or something.; To show respect or courtesy toward someone, often through a formal gesture or action.; To give or present something free of charge as a courtesy.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: compliments 3rd sing.: compliments Past: complimented Past part.: complimented Pres part.: complimenting

Collocations

pay a complimentgive a complimenttake a complimentbackhanded complimentcompliment someone on

Derivatives

complimentarycomplimentarily

Synonyms

praisecommendationflatteryaccoladetribute

Antonyms

insultcriticismslight

Commonly confused

complement
EN: 'Complement' (with 'e') means something that completes or enhances something else; 'compliment' (with 'i') means an expression of praise or admiration.

Spelling tips

EN: The most common error is confusing 'compliment' (praise, with 'i') with 'complement' (something that completes, with 'e'). Mnemonic: 'I' like compliments; 'E' completes things.

💬 Examples

  1. She paid him a compliment on his excellent presentation.

  2. Please give my compliments to the chef.

  3. The drinks were served as a compliment from the hotel.

  4. The parade was held as a compliment to the visiting dignitaries.

  5. He complimented her on her beautiful singing voice.

  6. The general complimented the troops with a formal inspection.

  7. The restaurant complimented us with a bottle of wine.