Definition of 'compliment'

Word Frequency

compliment

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense compliments, present participle complimenting , past tense, past participle complimented pronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kɒmplɪment ). The noun is pronounced (kɒmplɪmənt ).

1. countable noun

A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.

He has never paid me a compliment.

I try to graciously accept both compliments and criticism.

2. verb

If you compliment someone, you pay them a compliment.

They complimented me on the way I looked each time they saw me. [VERB noun + on]

Firstly I compliment you on most of your excellent Spring issue of 'Triangle'. [VERB noun on noun]

[Also VERB noun]

Synonyms: praise, flatter, salute, congratulate More Synonyms of compliment

3. countable noun

If you consider something that a person says or does as a compliment, it convinces you of your own good qualities, or that the person appreciates you.

We consider it a compliment to be called 'conservative'.

It's obvious he's worried about us and I'm taking it as a compliment.

4. plural noun [usually poss NOUN]

You can refer to your compliments when you want to express thanks, good wishes, or respect to someone in a formal way.

[politeness]

My compliments to the chef. [+ to]

Our compliments to all involved.

See return the compliment

See with sb's compliments

More Synonyms of compliment

Video: pronunciation of
compliment

compliment in British English

noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt )

a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc

2. (usually plural)

a greeting of respect or regard

verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt ) (transitive)

to express admiration of; congratulate or commend

to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift

▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with complement

Word origin

C17: from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to complete, do what is fitting, be polite

Word Frequency

compliment in American English

(ˈkɑmpləmənt ; for v .; ˈkɑmpləˌmɛnt )

noun

a formal act or expression of courtesy or respect

something said in admiration, praise, or flattery

3. [pl.]

courteous greetings; respects

send it with our compliments

4. Chiefly Dialectal

a gift given for services; tip

verb transitive

to pay a compliment to; congratulate

to present something to (a person) as an act of politeness or respect

Word origin

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

Example sentences including
compliment

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

It would not have been out of place had the visitors returned the compliment yesterday.It was a great compliment to me.That is the biggest compliment.It is a big compliment because the performance was at Old Trafford.He said it was a great game and complimented us on the way we played. Try to see it as a compliment to your good nature as a team player. Maybe this is her way of returning the compliment.We all like compliments and it is no more than that.You cannot pay him a bigger compliment than that.It was a compliment to the way we were defending.

Trends of
compliment

View usage for:

In other languages
compliment

British English: compliment /ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt/ NOUN

A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.

You can do no harm by paying a woman compliments.