Complement vs compliment: Spot the difference

While these two words sound very similar, they have distinct meanings. In this post, we’re going to delve into the difference between these two often-confused words: "compliment" and "complement."

A ‘compliment’ is praise or admiration, while a ‘complement’ refers to something that enhances or completes.

As we explore the nuances of these terms, you'll learn how to use them like a pro, ensuring your words not only resonate but make an impact.

Let's take a look!

What does compliment mean?

As we hinted at in the introduction, a "compliment" can be a noun that refers to kind words that make someone feel good.

For example:

"Hannah got a compliment on her new summer dress."

Alternatively, the word "compliment" can also be used as a verb, i.e., "to compliment." This means to praise someone for something they’ve done or for how they look.

For example, "I wanted to compliment Diana on her beautiful top".

In both personal and professional settings, a compliment is an expression of respect or appreciation and often brightens the recipient’s day!

Compliments are often mutual—you give one, you might receive one back. This is what we call "returning the compliment." For example, if a colleague praises your work, it’s only natural to return the favour. This back-and-forth creates a sense of camaraderie, and before you know it, you’ve built stronger connections just by offering a few kind words.

What does "complement" mean?

While compliments are all about admiration, "complements" are about making something better.

Like "compliment," the word "complement" can also function as both a noun and a verb, with related but distinct meanings.

For instance, "complement" as a noun refers to something that completes, enhances, or perfects another thing. It describes how one element works with or adds value to another.

Here are a couple of examples:

• "The red wine was the ideal complement to the meal."
• "His skills are the perfect complement to the team’s strengths."

Alternatively, as a verb, "to complement" means to add something that enhances or improves another thing or to combine well with something else in a way that enhances both elements.

Here are a couple of examples:

• "The colours of the painting complement each other beautifully."
• "Her innovative ideas complemented the traditional approach of the project."

In both cases, the core idea is about adding something that makes another element better or more complete.

Memory aids to remember the difference between compliment and complement

Need a quick trick to remember the difference between "compliment" and "complement"?

• Compliment: The word contains an "i," which you can associate with words like "image," "individual," or "admiration." When you compliment someone, you offer praise or admiration, often about their appearance (image) or other positive qualities. You can think of the "i" as personal (individual) admiration, which focuses on something or someone specific.
• Complement: The word contains an "e," which you can associate with words like "enhance," "enrich," or "complete." A complement is something that completes or improves something else, so pinpointing the "e" in the word should help trigger your memory.

Simple, right?

Common uses of "compliment" and "complement"

Seeing these words in action helps solidify their meanings. Here are a few examples:

• "Compliment" as a noun: The teacher gave Sarah a compliment on her well-written essay
• "Compliment" as a verb: Peggy complimented Alex on his excellent gardening skills.

Now, for "complement":

• "Complement" as a noun: The scarf is a perfect complement to her outfit.
• "Complement" as a verb: The earrings really complement your blue eyes.

The adjectives: "complimentary" vs "complementary"

In addition to the "complement" vs "compliment" debacle, we also have the adjectives "complimentary" and "complementary" to contend with.

"Complimentary" refers to something that’s offered for free, like "The hotel offers complimentary breakfast." It’s a nice little perk, given freely—like a verbal compliment.

On the other hand, "complementary" describes things that work well together and enhance each other. For instance, in art, blue and orange are complementary colours because they bring out the best in each other when paired.

Tips to Get it Right Every Time

Now that you know the difference between "compliment" and "complement," here are some quick tips to ensure you never mix them up again:

1. Use grammar-checking tools: They’re great for catching mistakes and reinforcing correct usage.
2. Remember the context: Use the memory aids we spoke about previously. If you’re praising someone, go with "compliment." If you’re talking about something that enhances or completes, "complement" is your word.
3. Practice makes perfect: The more you use these words correctly, the more natural it will feel. Try writing a few sentences and see how it goes!

Complement vs Compliment: Our Final Thoughts

Mastering the different meanings between the two words: "compliment" and "complement" can work wonders for sharpening your written communication skills.

Just remember that compliments are given to express praise, while complements are about making something better or more complete.

So next time you’re about to use one of these words, stop and think—are you offering praise or making something better? With practice, you’ll navigate the "compliment vs. complement" challenge like a pro!

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