Compliment vs. Complement: What’s the Difference?

Compliment and complement look almost identical and sound nearly the same, yet their meanings are completely different. One is about praise, while the other is about something that completes or enhances something else. Because the words differ by only one letter, many writers mix them up.

Compliment vs. Complement

A simple way to keep them straight is to focus on the letter inside each word:

ComplIment → think of the letter I as in I like your style!. A compliment is something nice you say to someone.
ComplEment → think of the letter E in ComplEte. A complement is something that completes or improves something else.

Example: He gave her a nice compliment because her scarf complements her outfit.

Compliment (Praise)

Compliment can be a noun or a verb. It means an expression of praise, admiration, or approval.

As a noun

She received a compliment on her presentation.
He thanked the audience for the kind compliments.
That comment sounded like a genuine compliment.

As a verb

We often use compliment with the preposition on.

I complimented her on her excellent presentation.
The manager complimented the team on their hard work.
Several guests complimented the chef on the meal.

Common Phrase: Complimentary

The adjective complimentary can also mean free of charge in services.

The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast every morning.
Guests received complimentary drinks at the event.

Complement (Complete or Enhance)

Complement can also be a noun or a verb. It refers to something that completes, improves, or goes well with something else.

As a noun

The side salad was a perfect complement to the main course.
Her skills are a valuable complement to the team.
The lighting was an elegant complement to the room’s design.

As a verb

The red shoes complement her dress perfectly.
The music complements the mood of the film.
The fresh herbs complement the flavor of the soup.

Quick Comparison: Compliment vs. Complement

Word	Meaning	Part of Speech	Example
ComplIment	Praise or admiration	Noun / Verb	She complimented* him on his work.*
ComplEment	Complete or enhance	Noun / Verb	The wine complements* the meal.*

Last Updated on March 4, 2026

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Nhat Nhat

English Teacher | IELTS Instructor | English Learning Content Creator at ESLTeacher.org

Nhat Nhat is an English teacher and IELTS instructor specializing in grammar, academic writing, and English learning resources. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), an IELTS 8.0 certificate, and TESOL / TEFL teaching certifications. With over 9 years of teaching experience, he creates practical lessons and educational content to help learners improve their English skills and exam performance.