Compliment vs complement: how to keep them straight
Quick answer: A compliment is something you say to praise someone: "what a lovely cover." A complement is something that completes or goes well with something else: "the cover complements the title." The spelling trick: complement shares its middle with complete.
Key takeaways
- Compliment = praise. If you can replace it with "praise," "flatter" or "kind words," it is compliment.
- Complement = complete. If you can replace it with "goes with," "matches" or "finishes," it is complement.
- Both are ordinary words, each used as a noun and a verb. Neither is more correct; they mean different things.
- The "complete" test is the fast one. Complement has an e in the middle, as in complete. If the sentence is about one thing finishing another, use complement.
The rule, and why it works that way
The two words are homophones: pronounced the same, spelled one letter apart. That is exactly why they get swapped. Their meanings do not overlap, so the fix is a definition test:
- Is it praise? A kind remark or congratulation means compliment.
- Does it finish or match something? Fits with, brings out the best in, completes: complement.
| Compliment | Complement | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | praise, an admiring remark | something that completes or matches |
| Test word | "praise" | "complete" |
| Noun example | She took the compliment well. | The wine is a good complement to the meal. |
| Verb example | He complimented her on the draft. | That colour complements your eyes. |
| Common mix-up | The scarf compliments the coat. (wrong) | The scarf complements the coat. (right) |
Where the pair gets confused
- Praise vs pairing. "The two leads compliment each other" sounds warm, but if you mean they work well together, the word is complement. If you mean they say nice things to each other, compliment is right. Decide what the sentence actually claims.
- Complimentary vs complementary. Complimentary means expressing praise, and also "given free of charge" ("a complimentary copy"). Complementary means completing each other ("complementary skills", "complementary colours"). The "free" sense of complimentary catches people who were not thinking about praise at all.
- Spellcheck will not help. Both are real words, so only the meaning test catches the slip.
A quick check before you publish: read the sentence with "praise" and again with "complete." Whichever reading matches what you meant names the word you want.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between compliment and complement in one sentence?
Compliment is praise you give someone; complement is something that completes or matches something else.
Is it "the wine complements the cheese" or "compliments"?
Complements: the wine goes well with the cheese. Compliments would mean the wine praises the cheese.
Is it "complimentary" or "complementary"?
Complimentary means expressing praise, or given free ("a complimentary copy"). Complementary means completing or matching ("complementary skills"). Pick by meaning, not by habit.
Can complement ever mean praise?
No. In modern usage the meanings do not overlap: praise is always compliment; completing or matching is always complement.
How do I remember which is which?
Link complement to complete, which shares its middle letter e. Compliment is the one that concerns praise.
Getting the pair right across a whole book
Compliment and complement is one of those swaps that can hide on any page, and it is faster to catch in a single editing pass than one at a time. See our editing and proofreading service.
Related guides
Keep going: how to write a book, the types of book editing, book editing services and proofreading services. For a dictionary definition, see complement (Cambridge Dictionary).
Disclosure: Harmony Publishing is a self-publishing company and links to its own services where they match a step. The language guidance here is practical, not a rule for every style guide.
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