It’s easy to get confused between “compliment” and “complement.”

They sound the same, and their meanings can overlap in some situations, making it tough to know when to use each one correctly.

Compliment: Refers to praise or admiration.
Complement: Refers to something that completes or enhances something else.

In this post, we’ll break down the meanings of both words, give you real-world examples, and provide useful tips to ensure you’re using them the right way. Let’s dive in!

Compliment or Complement: Quick Comparison

Word	Meaning	Example
Compliment	A positive remark or praise	“She complimented him on his new suit.”
Complement	Something that completes or enhances something	“The wine complemented the meal perfectly.”

What Is a Compliment?

Definition and Usage

A compliment is a positive remark or an expression of praise.

It’s something you say or do to make someone feel good or acknowledge their positive qualities. Whether you’re complimenting someone’s appearance, work, or personality, it’s always about giving praise.

Examples of Compliment as a Noun

• “She gave me a lovely compliment about my dress.”
• “He received many compliments on his speech.”

Compliment can also be used as a verb. When you compliment someone, you are offering praise or admiration.

Example of Compliment as a Verb

• “I complimented her on her cooking skills.”
• “He complimented his colleague for a job well done.”

Common Phrases with Compliment

• Give a compliment
• Pay a compliment
• Accept a compliment (when someone says something nice to you)
• Compliment on (followed by the subject being praised)

Important Note:

While a compliment is typically related to positive remarks, it’s crucial not to confuse it with flattery.

Flattery may be insincere or exaggerated praise, often with the intent of gaining favor. Compliments, on the other hand, are genuine and respectful.

What Is a Complement?

Definition and Usage

A complement refers to something that completes or enhances something else.

It could be an object, an idea, or even a person who adds balance or makes another thing more complete or whole.

Examples of Complement as a Noun

• “The red scarf was a perfect complement to her black dress.”
• “Their personalities complement each other, making them an ideal team.”

As a verb, to complement means to enhance or complete something, improving its overall effect.

Example of Complement as a Verb

• “The wine complemented the cheese perfectly.”
• “His skills complement hers, and together they make a great duo.”

Common Phrases with Complement

• A perfect complement
• Complement each other
• Complementary items (e.g., in design or food)
• Completely complement (when something fits or balances perfectly)

Example in Design

In design, complementary colors are those that are opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, etc.

These colors work together to create contrast while maintaining harmony.

Key Differences Between Compliment and Complement

It’s easy to mix these two words up, but they serve different purposes. Here’s a quick comparison to clarify their meanings:

Compliment	Complement
Definition: A positive remark or praise.	Definition: Something that completes or enhances something else.
Part of Speech: Noun (a positive remark) or Verb (to praise).	Part of Speech: Noun (something that completes) or Verb (to complete or enhance).
Usage: Used to express admiration, respect, or approval.	Usage: Used when referring to something that enhances, balances, or completes another thing.
Examples: “She gave me a compliment on my work.”	Examples: “The shirt complements your pants perfectly.”

A Quick Memory Tip

To remember the difference:

• Compliment: Think of “praise.” They both start with P.
• Complement: Think of “complete.” Both words involve completion or something being made whole.

When to Use “Compliment” vs “Complement”

Knowing when to use compliment or complement comes down to understanding their distinct meanings.

Here are some practical examples for each word to ensure you’re using them in the right context.

When to Use Compliment

You should use compliment when you’re referring to praise, admiration, or something that makes a positive statement.

Situations and Examples:

• Personal Interactions: Offering praise or admiration for someone’s appearance, talents, or achievements.
  • “He complimented her on her singing skills.”
  • “You look amazing today, that’s a great compliment!”
• Professional Setting: Complimenting someone’s work or achievements.
  • “I received a lot of compliments on my presentation.”
  • “She complimented the design team’s efforts on the new project.”

When to Use Complement

Complement is used when referring to something that enhances, completes, or makes another thing better.

It’s often used in contexts like design, food pairings, or relationships.

Situations and Examples:

• Food Pairing: When two or more foods are better together than on their own.
  • “The wine complements the cheese perfectly.”
  • “These spices complement each other in the recipe.”
• Color Theory: Colors that are opposite on the color wheel and balance each other out.
  • “Purple and yellow are complementary colors.”
  • “The orange pillows complement the blue couch.”
• Personality or Skills: When one thing completes or balances out another.
  • “Their skills complement each other in the project.”
  • “Her quiet demeanor complements his outgoing nature.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even though compliment and complement are distinct, people often use them interchangeably.

Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Mistaking Compliment for Complement in Contexts of Enhancement

• Incorrect: “The cheese was a great compliment to the wine.”
• Correct: “The cheese was a great complement to the wine.”
  • Why? Cheese enhances or completes the wine, so complement is the correct choice.

2. Using Complement When Giving Praise

• Incorrect: “She gave me a complement on my new haircut.”
• Correct: “She gave me a compliment on my new haircut.”
  • Why? When you’re praising someone, you use compliment, not complement.

3. Confusing the Spelling

The main reason people confuse these two words is their similar spelling.

Complement has an e in it, just like complete (which makes sense because it refers to something that makes another thing whole).

Compliment has an i, which can help remind you that it’s related to praise.

Tips to Avoid Confusion:

• If it’s praise or admiration, go with compliment.
• If it’s something that completes or enhances, go with complement.

Real-World Examples of “Compliment” and “Complement” in Action

To solidify your understanding, let’s look at a few real-world examples of how to use compliment and complement correctly.

In a Professional Setting:

Imagine you’re at a work event and you hear a colleague give a presentation. Afterward, you might say:

• “I wanted to compliment you on your excellent presentation. It was clear and engaging!” This is because you’re offering praise.

Later, you and a co-worker discuss how you could improve the company’s product:

• “I think your design ideas complement mine really well. Together, they’ll create a strong product.” Here, complement is the right word, as you’re discussing how ideas fit together to make the project stronger.

In Everyday Life:

You’re at a party and see someone wearing a beautiful outfit. You say:

• “That dress is stunning! You look amazing!” This is a compliment because you’re praising their appearance.

At dinner, you notice how well the sides match with the main course:

• “The mashed potatoes complement the roast chicken perfectly.” Here, complement is used because the potatoes and chicken go together to create a harmonious meal.

What People Ask

What’s the difference between a compliment and a complement?

A compliment is praise or admiration, while a complement is something that enhances or completes something else.

Can you use complement when giving praise?

No, complement is used for things that complete or enhance. Use compliment when giving praise.

How do I remember when to use complement vs. compliment?

Think “praise” for compliment and “complete” for complement.

Is it wrong to say “That’s a great compliment to the meal”?

Yes, the correct phrase is “That’s a great complement to the meal” because it enhances the meal.

Can complement be used as a verb?

Yes, complement can be used as a verb, meaning to complete or enhance something.

Why do people confuse these two words?

They sound similar and have overlapping meanings, making it easy to mix them up.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between compliment and complement is key to using these words correctly.

A compliment is all about giving praise or admiration, while a complement refers to something that enhances or completes something else.

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you can avoid common mistakes and communicate more clearly in both your personal and professional life.

Remember:

• Compliment: Praise or admiration.
• Complement: Something that completes or enhances.

With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to use these words confidently and correctly in your writing and conversations. Keep an eye out for opportunities to use both, and you’ll sound like a pro!