Compliment vs Complement
What's the difference?
One letter apart, and both can be a noun or a verb — but one is about praise and the other is about things going well together.
Quick answer
A compliment (with an 'i') is praise. To complement (with an 'e') is to complete or go well with something. Praise → compliment; completes → complement.
Compared side by side
(noun/verb) a nice thing you say about someone; to praise.
- “She gave me a lovely compliment.”
- “He complimented my cooking.”
- “Thanks for the compliment!”
(noun/verb) something that completes or goes well with another; to complete.
- “The wine complements the meal.”
- “The scarf is a nice complement to the outfit.”
- “Their skills complement each other.”
How to remember it
complIment = "I" like receiving praise. complEment = it complEtes something (both have that E).
Frequently asked
Which one is the kind comment?
Compliment, with an 'i'. "What a lovely compliment." Complement (with an e) is about two things going well together, like wine and cheese.
What about "complimentary"?
"Complimentary" can mean either praising ("a complimentary review") or free ("a complimentary drink"). Both come from compliment, with an i.