Complement vs Compliment

Complement (with an ‘e’)

Complement refers to something that goes well with something else.

When things go well together, like rice and curry, they complement each other. This word is used as both a noun and verb.

• As a noun: Cheese is a perfect complement to crackers.

That video was an engaging complement to the lecture notes.

• As a verb: The red ribbons complemented her white dress.

The sauce complements the fish beautifully.

Compliment (with an ‘i’)

Compliment, on the other hand, refers to praise or admiration.

When you tell your friend, “I love your new pencil case!”—that’s a compliment or a nice thing you say! This word, too, functions as both a noun and a verb.

• As a noun: Lizzy gave Jasmine a compliment about her hairstyle.

Tim received a compliment on his well-tailored suit.

• As a verb: My mother complimented me on my neat penmanship.

I was complimenting Robert on his wonderful food.

Complementary vs Complimentary

Complementary (with an ‘e’)

Complementary (adj.) refers to two things that go well together.

You might say, “My art teacher taught us that red and green are complementary colours on the colour wheel.”

Can you think of other complementary colours or foods?

Complimentary (with an ‘i’)

You might be thinking, “If ‘compliment’ means saying nice things, then ‘complimentary’ must mean the same thing, right?” Well, here’s where it gets interesting!

The adjective, “complimentary”, has two different meanings.

Meaning #1: Giving Praise

• He was very complimentary about my piano recital = He was praising my piano recital.
• Reviews for the film were not very complimentary = Reviews did not praise the film. 

Meaning #2: Free

• This hotel offers complimentary breakfast = The hotel provides breakfast at no cost.
• You get a complimentary donut with each tea purchase = Free donut when you buy tea.

Let’s practise!

Fill in the blanks with the right word: complement, compliment, complementary, complimentary

1. Yesterday, my teacher _________ the whole class on our behaviour during assembly.
2. The warm lighting in the room _________ the wooden décor.
3. At the restaurant, they served _________ soup before the main course.
4. The two workshops are _________: each provides what the other lacks.
5. My parents received many _________ on their beautiful garden.
6. The manager’s _________ remarks really boosted the staff morale.
7. Jane’s skills _________ those of her partner, making them a formidable team.
8. You can get _________ tickets to the performance if you are a member.

Quick Check

Before you use these words in your next composition, ask yourself:

• Am I writing about praising someone? → Use “compliment”
• Am I writing about things matching or going well together? → Use “complement”

Now, your teacher will definitely compliment you when your accurate spelling complements your creative story ideas!