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compliment Meaning & Definition

/ˈkɒmplɪm(ə)nt/

What Does Compliment Mean?

Compliment is a noun that means An expression of a favourable opinion about someone. It can also mean A formal act or expression of congratulation, courtesy, respect, etc.; also in the form compliments: formal expression of congratulation, courtesy, respect, etc.; complimentary language; flattery, praise. As a verb, it means To express a favourable opinion of (someone); to praise. As a verb, it means Misspelling of complement.

Word Facts for Compliment

Part of speechnoun, verb
Pronunciation/ˈkɒmplɪm(ə)nt/
Synonymscongratulate
Antonymsinsult
Pluralcompliments
Verb formscompliments, complimenting, complimented

Compliment Definition (Noun)

  1. An expression of a favourable opinion about someone.

    to pay someone a compliment

  2. A formal act or expression of congratulation, courtesy, respect, etc.; also in the form compliments: formal expression of congratulation, courtesy, respect, etc.; complimentary language; flattery, praise.
  3. A thing given as a sign of courtesy or respect; a gift, a present.

Compliment as a Verb

  1. To express a favourable opinion of (someone); to praise.
  2. To address or greet (someone) formally with expressions of courtesy, respect, etc.; to give or pay (someone) a compliment (etymology 1, noun sense 2). To give (someone) a thing (such as a gift, or an academic degree or title) as a sign of courtesy or respect.
  3. To give (someone) a thing (such as a gift, or an academic degree or title) as a sign of courtesy or respect.
  4. To congratulate (someone).
  5. Followed by away: to surrender (something) while giving or paying compliments.
  6. Followed by into: to put (someone or something) into a certain situation or state while giving or paying compliments; also, followed by out of: to deprive (someone) of a thing while giving or paying compliments.
  7. To express sympathy or give condolences to (someone); to condole.
  8. To give or pay compliments. To congratulate. To be ceremonious or formally courteous in actions or speech.
  9. To give or pay compliments.
  10. To congratulate.
  11. To be ceremonious or formally courteous in actions or speech.

Noun

  1. Misspelling of complement.
  2. Obsolete spelling of complement.

Verb

  1. Misspelling of complement.
  2. Obsolete spelling of complement.

Noun

  1. An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect.
  2. Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.

Verb

  1. To pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).

Synonyms of Compliment

congratulate
Compliment synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Compliment

insult

Compliment in a Sentence

to pay someone a compliment

Word Forms & Grammar

compliment (countable and uncountable, plural compliments)

compliment (third-person singular simple present compliments, present participle complimenting, simple past and past participle complimented)

compliment (plural compliments)

Origin of Compliment

Origin 1: Borrowed from French compliment (“expression of respect, compliment”), from Italian complimento (“expression of respect, compliment”), from compimento (“completion, fulfilment”) (in the sense of fulfilment of the requirements of courtesy), from Latin complēmentum (“that which completes or fills up, complement; completion”),[1] from compleō (“to fill up, complete; to finish; to fulfil (a promise); etc.”) + -mentum (suffix denoting the result of something). Compleō is derived from com- (a variant of con- (prefix indicating a being or bringing together of several objects)) + pleō (“bound morpheme meaning ‘to fill’”) (possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- (“to fill”)). Doublet of complement. Displaced Old English ġeswǣsnes.

Origin 2: Borrowed from French complimenter (“to compliment”), from compliment (noun) (see above) + -er (suffix forming verbs).[2]

Origin 3: See complement.

Common Questions About Compliment

Is compliment a noun or a verb?

Compliment is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for compliment?

You can replace compliment with words such as congratulate. See the full list of compliment synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of compliment?

The opposite of compliment is insult.

What is the plural of compliment?

The plural of compliment is compliments.

What is the past tense of compliment?

The past tense of compliment is complimented. The present participle is complimenting.

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