complimentary

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

Definition of complimentary

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

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complimentarily

play \ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rə-lē, -(ˌ)men-ˈter-ə-lē\ adverb

See complimentary defined for English-language learners

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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 of complimentary from the Web

Participants will receive complimentary copies of the booklet.

— Daily Southtown, "Church news," 28 Aug. 2017
Taste over 100 wines in a complimentary GrapeFest glass for $20.

— compiled by hannah johnson, star-telegram, "Events and activities," 25 Aug. 2017
Kelly Ridges and her children Abby, Max and David waited in line for two hours and were among the last people to get the complimentary viewing glasses.

— Naperville Sun, "Eclipse viewing at Naper Settlement draws more than 1,400 people," 21 Aug. 2017
A four-person scramble format with the purchase of skins and mulligans available, foursomes starting at a partner sponsor level of $1,000 includes lunch, driving range, 18 holes of golf with cart, complimentary refreshments, social hour and prizes.

— Post-Tribune, "Community calendar," 19 Aug. 2017
It was made clear at the beginning of the Dylan tour there would be no complimentary tickets or backstage passes, which was a rarity in the business, Oldham says.

— matt wake, AL.com, "The secrets behind Bob Dylan's Muscle Shoals albums," 16 Aug. 2017
To let this color take center stage in your home, pair it with Sherwin Williams' Storm Cloud SW 6249, Special Gray SW 6277 and Sea Salt SW 6204, which are all complimentary of Stardew, but won't upstage it.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "Sherwin Williams' "Stardew" Is the Color Taking Over Pinterest Right Now," 2 Aug. 2017
Besides Skippy, E-Mart sells artisanal earthen cookware, age-defying face emulsions sourced from rare snail slime, fine rice wine, and perfectly ripe watermelons accompanied by well-engineered, complimentary straw satchels.

— Longreads, "My Mongolian Spot," 1 Aug. 2017
The town of Cutler Bay plans a summer pool party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cutler Ridge Park, 10100 SW 200th St. The free event features music and games with DJ Ivan, complimentary burgers by the pool and a giant water slide.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Best fun for kids this weekend: YMCA water days, Florida Supercon," 26 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complimentary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.