Compliment vs. Complement: Is There a Difference?

After the whole insure vs. ensure vs. assure debacle, I started to question every similar word pairing out there. What about who vs. whom? That vs. which? Affect vs. effect??

There are a lot of word pairings with meanings that overlap, but luckily compliment and complement are NOT one of those pairs.

The Overlap

Both compliment and complement can be used as either a noun or a verb. And that is where their similarities end.

These words have completely different meanings. However, because of their similar spelling and pronunciation, they unfortunately get mixed up all the time. So let’s clear things up.

How Are They Different?

A simple look at these words’ definitions should make their differences clear.

Definitions

Complement (noun): something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect; one of two mutually completing parts; counterpart

Complement (verb): to complete or enhance by providing something additional; to be complementary to

Compliment (noun): an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; to present with a token of esteem (“complimented her with an honorary degree”)

Compliment (verb): to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to; to pay a compliment to

As you can see, complement with an “E” has to do with completing something—makes sense with the spelling, right?

Compliment with an “I” has to do with praising or congratulating someone.

An easy way to remember the difference is by looking at the spelling of complement and associating it with complete.

Which Came First?

Although these words are completely different from one another, they both come from the Latin word complēre, meaning “to complete.” Complement stayed closer to that word’s original spelling as well as its original meaning.

Examples

Complement

The wine was the perfect complement to the fish.

I donned a blue scarf, which was an excellent complement to my outfit.

What shade would you recommend to complement my skin tone?

The new running back’s style of play complements the team’s quarterback.

Compliment

Lucy received many compliments on her new outfit today.

A satisfied customer is the highest compliment a business can get.

The stranger meant it as an insult, but Greg took it as a compliment.

I must compliment you on your exceptional speech!

A Word of Warning about Complementary and Complimentary

The same distinction between complement and compliment applies to the adjectives complementary and complimentary:

Complementary: serving to fill out or complete; mutually supplying each other’s lack

Complimentary: expressing praise or admiration; expressing or containing a compliment

What questions do you have about compliment and complement? Let me know in the comments!

Click here to learn about further vs. farther!

Sources:

• “America’s Most Trusted Dictionary.” Merriam-Webster. Accessed August 7, 2024. https://www.merriam-webster.com/.
• Ebbitt, D. R., and W. R. Ebbitt. Index to English. 8th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.
• Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage. 14th ed. Taunton, MA: QuadGraphics, 2016.