compliment
KOM-pluh-ment
/ˈkɒm.plɪ.mɛnt/
A polite remark expressing praise, commendation, or admiration; to express praise to someone.
Pertains specifically to social praise, polite approval, or admiration delivered to another person.
The story behind the word. Both 'complement' and 'compliment' originate from Latin 'complere' (to fill up). However, 'compliment' took a romantic journey through Italian ('complimento') and Spanish ('cumplimiento'), where fulfilling courtly obligations evolved into making gracious gestures and flattering remarks.
Word relationships
- commendation: 'Commendation' is formal or official praise, whereas 'compliment' can be informal and personal.
- flattery: 'Flattery' carries a negative tone of insincerity, while 'compliment' is usually sincere.
- insult: 'Insult' is a deliberate offensive remark, whereas 'compliment' is a favorable one.
Commonly confused with
- complement: 'Compliment' with an 'I' expresses admiration (I like praise); 'complement' with an 'E' completes.
Word family
- complimentary (adjective): Praising, or free of charge.
- uncomplimentary (adjective): Critical or derogatory.
Collocations
- pay a compliment
- take as a compliment
- return the compliment
Idioms & expressions
- compliments of the season
- with the compliments of
Example sentences
- "I can live for two months on a good compliment." Literature citation
- "She paid him a warm compliment on his insightful presentation during the meeting." Social etiquette
Memory hook
Remember the 'I' in ComplIment stands for 'I like praise' or 'I love compliments'. I love receiving a complIment.
When not to use
Do not use when describing elements that balance or fit well together; use 'complement'.
Fun facts
- In 17th-century French courtly society, 'compliment' originally referred to the full ceremony of polite greetings required by royal etiquette.
Related words
Also appears in
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