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compliment definition

com·pli·ment (käm′plə mənt; for v., -ment′)

noun

  1. a formal act or expression of courtesy or respect
  2. something said in admiration, praise, or flattery
  3. courteous greetings; respects send it with our compliments
  4. Now Chiefly Dial. a gift given for services; tip

Etymology: Fr < It complimento < Sp cumplimiento < cumplir, to fill up < VL *complire, for L complere, to complete

transitive verb

  1. to pay a compliment to; congratulate
  2. to present something to (a person) as an act of politeness or respect

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms compliment idiom

compliment Synonyms

compliment

n.

praise, commendation, felicitation, tribute, encomium, approval, endorsement, sanction, applause, complimentary remark, flattery, acclaim, acclamation, laudation, panegyric, eulogy, adulation, notice, regards, honor, appreciation, recognition, respects, blessing, accolades, kudos, plaudits, veneration, admiration, congratulation, homage, good word, trade-last*, T.L.*, bouquet*, pat on the back*, stroke*; see also flattery, praise 2.

Antonyms censure*, abuse*, disapproval.


compliment

v.

  1. To flatter

    commend, praise, endorse, sanction, acclaim, pay a compliment to, sing the praises of, speak highly of, exalt, make much of, ingratiate oneself with, soothe, charm, applaud, worship, eulogize, glorify, panegyrize, extol, magnify, cajole, fawn upon, toady to, truckle to, laud, adulate, hail, honor, pay tribute to, butter up*, puff up*, hand it to*, pat on the back*, give a bouquet*, stroke*, lay it on thick*; see also praise 1.

    Antonyms denounce*, disapprove of, censure. *

  2. To congratulate

    felicitate, wish joy to, rejoice with, remember, commemorate, send a remembrance, pay one's respects, greet, honor, cheer, salute, hail, toast, applaud, celebrate, pay tribute to.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

compliment Usage Examples

Object

  • vocal: With gentle vocals that almost seem haunting at times, they run along with soft neat acoustic guitaring that compliment the vocals very well.

Converse of object

  • repay: Doubtless the barbarian Other repaid the compliment: but the question is - were the Greeks right?

Subject

  • bathroom: Rooms complimented by small marble bathrooms and quality furnishings.

Adjective modifier

  • backhanded: It has been suggested, however, that this somewhat backhanded compliment was intended rather to rub salt into Hooke's wounds.

Modifies a noun

  • slip: It must also be on company letter headed paper or include a compliment slip or show a company stamp 19.

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: The harder strum energy perfectly complimented by the lighter picked passages.

Noun used with modifier

  • will: They are wonderfully bright and will compliment and enhance your wardrobe.

Preposition: of

  • chef: On the menu Snack Stuff, compliments of the chef!

Preposition: by

  • bathroom: Rooms complimented by small marble bathrooms and quality furnishings.
compliment usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

compliment quotes

As in a month you've got to die If Ko-Ko tells us true, 'Twere empty compliment to cry 'Long life to Nanki-Poo!' But as one month you have to live As fellow-citizen, This toast with three times three we'll giveö 'Long life to youötill then!'

-Gilbert, Sir W(illiam) S(chwenck)

Itake it as a compliment whenanagent ofthelargest and most heinous bully of the century, the Soviet Union, accuses me of being a bully.

-Haig, Alexander Meigs,Jr

To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.

-MacDonald, George

compliment quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"compliment." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/compliment>

APA Style

compliment. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/compliment

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