Compliment vs. Complement
A “compliment” is praise or an expression of admiration; to “compliment” someone is to praise them. A “complement” is something that completes, matches, or improves something else, and “complement” is also a grammatical term.
Use “compliment” for praise. Use “complement” for something that completes, pairs well with, or enhances something else—or for the grammatical term “complement.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Intended meaning | Choose | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| praise or admiration | compliment | pay someone a compliment |
| to praise someone | compliment | compliment someone on their work |
| to complete or enhance | complement | the colors complement each other |
| a grammatical completing element | complement | subject/object complement |
Both words can occur as nouns and verbs; decide by meaning (praise vs. complete/enhance), not by part of speech alone.
Further guidance
Common Error
A product can complement another product, while a person can compliment its design. The words can occur in similar contexts but express different relationships.
Complement
As a verb, complement means to make something else seem better or more complete when combined with it. As a noun it can mean something that completes a set, and in grammar it names a clause element that adds required information.
Compliment
As a noun, compliment is a remark or action expressing approval, admiration, or respect. As a verb, it means to praise or express admiration.
Memory Aid
Think of the “i” in compliment as praise directed at a person: “I compliment you.” Think of complement with “e” as completing or enhancing. The memory aid is only a mnemonic; the definitions are what determine the word.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Compliment — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Compliment noun and verb meanings
- Complement — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Complement verb, noun, and grammar meanings