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

The shop earns bonus points for throwing in complimentary doughnut holes which make an ideal midday treat with coffee. — Lia Picard, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026

There are complimentary ones, but they get taken quickly, and front-row spots come at a premium. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

While the film has received positive reviews and word of mouth since its debut at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, the real-life Hansen has been less than complimentary ahead of the film’s release. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Guests can cool off in the outdoor pool, play bocce, shuffleboard, or cornhole, or borrow one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes for a ride into town. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 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