compliment

1 of 2

noun

com·​pli·​ment ˈkäm-plə-mənt 

1

a

: an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration

especially : an admiring remark

b

: formal and respectful recognition : honor

2

a

compliments plural : best wishes : regards

accept my compliments

compliments of the season

b

—used in the phrase compliments of to identify the donor or source of a gift or free item or service

For less than $10, she gets transportation to the real-estate tycoon's casino, a voucher worth about $13 in cash, a meal ticket and a coupon good for $5 on her next visit—all compliments of the casino.

—Julie Amparano

—often used ironically to identify the source of something that is not wanted

He received a speeding ticket, compliments of the state police.

Add two more games to the list of area basketball postponements this week, compliments of wintry weather.

—Marq Mitcham

Note: Do not confuse compliment with complement. Compliment implies communication, as in "guests complimenting us on the meal" and "compliments to the chef." Meanwhile, complement shares its first two syllables with the word complete, and has meanings that relate to completion, as in "a tangy sauce that complements the rich dessert" and "artwork that is a perfect complement to the room's décor."

compliment

2 of 2

verb

com·​pli·​ment ˈkäm-plə-ˌment 

complimented; complimenting; compliments

transitive verb

1

: to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to : to pay a compliment to

complimented the pianist on his performance

2

: to present with a token of esteem

complimented her with an honorary degree

Did you know?

Is it complement or compliment?

Today there is no overlap between the meanings of complement and compliment, as either nouns or verbs, but their similar spellings and pronunciations make them prime candidates for confusion. Despite the difference in their meanings, both complement and compliment have roots in the Latin word complēre which means “to complete.” Complement remains true to that origin in its spelling and in its meanings that have to do with completing or completion. Keep that connection in mind and there should be no question as to whether complement or compliment is the correct word to use in a given context.

Synonyms of compliment

Noun

• tribute
• commendation

Verb

• congratulate

Examples of compliment in a Sentence

Noun

"The warden said he wouldn't let just anybody have a young swan, but he'd let you have one because you understand about birds, and he trusts you. That's quite a compliment, son." Mr. Beaver looked pleased. —E. B. White, The Trumpet Of The Swan, (1970) 2000

Boys in the Midwest grow up without a word of praise, their parents fearful that a compliment might make them vain … —Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991

Mallard scowled at him. He had never learned to receive compliment or expressions of gratitude gracefully. —Dorothy Simpson, The Night She Died, 1981

The first presentation of Falstaff I ever saw was yours … Perhaps the best compliment I can pay is to say, as I truly can, I am very anxious to see it again. —Abraham Lincoln, letter, 17 Aug. 1863

He told her he admired her paintings and she returned the compliment by saying that she was a fan of his sculptures.

When customers recommend our company to friends and family members, we consider that to be the highest compliment we can get.

Verb

She was forever complimenting Ziba's exotic appearance and asking for her viewpoint on various international issues. —Anne Tyler, Digging to America, 2006

… she had gotten a three-and-a-half-star review in the Nut County Reporter, complimenting her especially on her crème brûlée and her pork medallions … —Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003

What a day. She had been winked at, complimented, given a gift, and now mistaken for the mysterious Alyce … —Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice, 1995

Wilde would compliment him later: 'I have always regarded you as the best critic of my plays.' 'But I have never criticised your plays,' said Tree. 'That's why,' said Wilde. —Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988

complimented her on her election victory

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are slasher movies, and then there's whatever Bodies Bodies Bodies is (this is a compliment). —Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025

Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me? —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

Barrymore complimented the nuanced nature of the show's exploration of the troubled teen industry. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025

Wood said, while also complimenting Montana’s football tradition. —Marcus Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from French, Italian & Spanish; French, borrowed from Italian & Spanish; Italian complimento, borrowed from Spanish cumplimiento, complimiento "offer made solely for reasons of etiquette," earlier "abundance," from cumplir "to go along (with), meet the expectations (of), satisfy (obligations of courtesy)," earlier, "to carry out, execute, fulfill" + -miento -ment — more at comply

Note: In the seventeenth century the word was often spelled complement, and complement entry 1 was occasionally spelled compliment. Senses of complement current in early Modern English, as "any observance that tends to give completeness to the expression of worship, honour, reverence, or the like" (Oxford English Dictionary, first edition) tend to shade into compliment, so that it is difficult to know if authors recognized a difference between the words.

Verb

borrowed from French complimenter, derivative of compliment compliment entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing compliment

• backhanded compliment
• pay (someone) a compliment
• take a compliment

Kids Definition

compliment

1 of 2 noun

com·​pli·​ment ˈkäm-plə-mənt 

1

: an expression of respect, affection, or admiration

especially : an admiring remark

2

plural : best wishes : regards

compliment

2 of 2 verb

com·​pli·​ment ˈkäm-plə-ˌment 

: to pay a compliment to

was complimented on his performance