complement
KOMP-luh-muhnt
Complement (noun) means something that completes or goes well with something else. Example: “The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.”
noun
1
Something that completes or goes well with something else.
"The wine was a perfect complement to the meal."
"Her calm personality is a good complement to his energetic style."
"A crisp green salad makes a fine complement to grilled fish."
verb
1
To complete or improve something by adding a matching or contrasting quality.
"The rug's colours complement the curtains nicely."
"The dessert complements the spicy main course perfectly."
"A simple silver necklace will complement that black dress."
How to use complement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that completes or pairs well with something else.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- complements
- Third person singular
- complements
- Past tense
- complemented
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The wine was a perfect _____ to the meal.
Etymology
From Latin complementum, "that which fills up or completes."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for complement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for complement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “complement” mean?
The word “complement” means something that completes or goes well with something else. In plain terms, something that completes or pairs well with something else.
How do you pronounce “complement”?
“Complement” is pronounced KOMP-luh-muhnt (/ˈkɑmpləmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “complement” in a sentence?
Here is “complement” used in a sentence: “The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.”
What part of speech is “complement”?
Depending on how it is used, “complement” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “complement” come from?
The word “complement” comes from Latin. From Latin complementum, "that which fills up or completes.".
Is “complement” a common word?
“Complement” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “complement” have?
“Complement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that completes or goes well with something else.
What is the difference between complement and compliment?
Complement means something that completes or goes well with something else, such as a wine that complements a meal. Compliment means a polite expression of praise, so the two words are unrelated in meaning despite sounding identical.
How do you use complement as a verb correctly?
As a verb, complement means to complete or improve something by adding a matching or contrasting quality, as in "the sauce complements the fish." It should not be confused with "compliment," which means to praise someone.
Can complement be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, complement functions as a noun for something that completes or matches another thing, and as a verb for the act of completing or enhancing something through a matching quality.
