complimentary

adjective

com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē 

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

complimentarily

ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rə-lē  -(ˌ)men-ˈter-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of complimentary

• favorable
• positive
• good

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

And for requests made before check-in, the property offers complimentary Pack-and-play cribs for guests traveling with young children. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 July 2026

The president isn't always so complimentary of teams, though. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

The luxury cruise line is known for its private yacht-style atmosphere, including complimentary caviar and premium wine served at your whim. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 22 July 2026

But shots of the Trojan horse or of Agamemnon’s helmet take up a large share of the iconography most discussed in complimentary conversations surrounding the film. — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

compliment entry 1 + -ary entry 2

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing complimentary

• complimentary close

Rhymes for complimentary

• alimentary
• documentary
• parliamentary
• rudimentary
• sedimentary
• supplementary
• testamentary
• integumentary
• uncomplimentary
• unparliamentary
• interparliamentary
• metasedimentary

Kids Definition

complimentary

adjective

com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈment-ə-rē 

-ˈmen-trē

1

: expressing or containing a compliment

a complimentary remark

2

: given free as a courtesy or favor

complimentary tickets