Quick answer: a complement completes or goes well with something, while a compliment is a kind or admiring remark. Think “complete” for complement (both have an “e”) and “I like” for compliment (both have an “i”).
Why They Get Mixed Up
These two words are homophones, which means they sound exactly alike but have different spellings and meanings. Spell-check will not catch the mistake because both are real words, so you have to know the difference yourself.
Complement: To Complete or Match
As a verb, complement means to make something better or complete by adding something that goes with it. As a noun, it means the thing that completes, or a full set or number.
- The red scarf complements her black coat.
- Fresh herbs complement the flavor of grilled fish.
- The ship had a full complement of sailors.
In grammar, a complement is also the part of a sentence that completes the meaning of the verb, such as “happy” in “She is happy.”
Compliment: Words of Praise
A compliment is an expression of praise, approval or admiration. As a verb it means to say something nice to someone.
- He paid me a compliment on my presentation.
- She complimented the chef on the dessert.
- Thank you, that is a lovely compliment.
A Related Pair: Complimentary
The adjective complimentary has two meanings. It can mean expressing praise, as in “complimentary remarks.” It can also mean free of charge, as in “a complimentary breakfast.” The matching adjective complementary means working well together, such as complementary colors on a color wheel.
Easy Memory Tricks
| Word | Trick |
|---|---|
| Complement | It completes something (both have “e”) |
| Compliment | “I like it” (both have “i”) |
Common Mistakes
- Writing “she complemented me on my work” when you mean praise. It should be complimented.
- Writing “wine is a nice compliment to cheese” when you mean it goes well with it. It should be complement.
Examples in Real Life
In a restaurant, a waiter might compliment your choice of wine, and the wine itself complements the meal. In a classroom, a teacher may compliment a student’s essay, while a strong conclusion complements the argument made earlier. In fashion, a belt may complement an outfit, and a friend might compliment you on it. Seeing both words in the same scene helps you remember that one is spoken praise while the other is about things fitting together.
Test Yourself
- The blue curtains (complement / compliment) the walls.
- She gave him a sincere (complement / compliment).
- Rice is a perfect (complement / compliment) to the curry.
Answers: complement, compliment, complement.
Final Thoughts
If something completes or matches, use complement. If someone says something nice, use compliment. A quick pause to apply the memory trick will save you from one of the most common word mix-ups in English.
