complimentary

adjective

com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce complimentary (audio)
1
a
: expressing praise or admiration : expressing or containing a compliment
a complimentary remark
b
: favorable
the novel received complimentary reviews
2
: given free as a courtesy or favor
complimentary tickets

Examples of complimentary in a Sentence

Furtado is as complimentary about Elliott's manicure … as she is about Elliott's business acumen. David A. Keeps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2001
In the bar that evening I at last had the Holiday Inn's complimentary drink, "Tropical Aura." V. S. Naipaul, Among the Believers, 1981
Wilbur had been feeling dizzier and dizzier through this long, complimentary speech. When he heard the crowd begin to cheer and clap again, he suddenly fainted away. E. B. White, Charlotte's Web, 1952
She made complimentary remarks about his work. They handed out complimentary brochures. The restaurant offers valet parking as a complimentary service.
Recent Examples on the Web Limited tickets include a complimentary breakfast buffet, children's activities games, and a special introduction from Hammoud. Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2024 Following suit this year are a handful of festivals, sound baths, and other musical events, including an Arkansas indie extravaganza in Hot Springs National Park, an interstellar rave in rural Texas, and a Vampire Weekend show in Austin with complimentary eclipse glasses. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 5 Apr. 2024 Fast Wi-Fi is complimentary for first and business-class passengers. Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024 The sibling properties still offer early park admission and complimentary transportation to the parks, plus pools, on-site dining, and family suites. Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2024 Arrive early to Metropole for a complimentary cocktail. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 Mar. 2024 All guests will receive complimentary viewing glasses. Anna Tingley, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024 Corsicana, Texas Corsicana Visitor Center and gift shop—in the path of totality—is giving away complimentary eclipse glasses. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 Sipping on bevies aside, attendees will also be offered complimentary services from 818 partners like a cowboy hat customization station by Bumble, hot photo ops courtesy of Tezza, makeup touchups thanks to an Anastasia Beverly Hills station and a savory snack variety from Gopuff. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complimentary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of complimentary was in 1714

Dictionary Entries Near complimentary

Cite this Entry

“Complimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complimentary. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

complimentary

adjective
com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈment-ə-rē How to pronounce complimentary (audio)
-ˈmen-trē
1
: expressing or containing a compliment
a complimentary remark
2
: given free as a courtesy or favor
complimentary tickets

More from Merriam-Webster on complimentary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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