Definition of 'complement'
Word forms: complements, complementing, complementedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kɒmplɪmɛnt
). The noun is pronounced (kɒmplɪmənt
).
1. transitive verb
If one thing complements another, it goes well with the other thing and makes its good qualities more noticeable.
2. transitive verb
3. countable noun
Something that is a complement to something else complements it.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
English Easy Learning GrammarComplementsSome verbs such as be, become, seem, do not have an object but a complement.
The subject complement is a word or phrase that tells us more about the subject.
Alan ... Read more
The subject complement is a word or phrase that tells us more about the subject.
Alan ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarParts of the sentenceSentences consist of a number of parts, using different parts of speech. The most
important parts of speech are:
The subject, which is either a noun phrase ... Read more
The subject, which is either a noun phrase ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe declarativeThe declarative is used to make statements. A statement is usually the expression
of a fact or of an opinion. Statements can be both positive or negative.
Kate ... Read more
Kate ... Read more
Video: pronunciation of
complement
Word Frequency
complement in American English
noun
1.
that which completes or
brings to
perfection
2.
the amount or number needed to
fill or complete
3.
a complete set;
entirety
4.
something added to complete a whole; either of two parts that complete each other
5. Grammar
6. Immunology
7. Ancient Mathematics
verb transitive
10.
to make complete; be a complement to
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
complement in British English
noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt
)
▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with
compliment1.
a person or thing that
completes something
2.
one of two parts that make up a
whole or complete each other
3.
a complete amount, number, etc (often in the phrase
full complement)
5. grammar
a.
7. logic, mathematics
8. music
the sixth is the complement of the third
9. immunology
a group of
proteins in the
blood
serum that, when
activated by
antibodies, causes
destruction of
alien cells, such as
bacteria
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C14: from Latin complēmentum, from complēre to fill up, from com- (intensive) + plēre to fill
Examples of 'complement' in a sentence
complement
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Trends of
complement
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In other languages
complement
British English: complement VERB
If one thing complements another, it goes well with the other thing and makes its good qualities more noticeable.
Nutmeg, parsley, and cider all complement the flavour of these beans well.
- American English: complement
- Brazilian Portuguese: complementar
- Chinese: 衬托
- European Spanish: complementar
- French: compléter
- German: ergänzen
- Italian: accompagnarsi bene a
- Japanese: 補い合う
- Korean: ~와 잘 어울리다
- European Portuguese: complementar
- Spanish: complementar
British English: complement NOUN
Something that is a complement to something else complements it.
The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser.
- American English: complement
- Brazilian Portuguese: complemento
- Chinese: 衬托物
- European Spanish: complemento
- French: complément
- German: Ergänzung
- Italian: complemento
- Japanese: 補完するもの
- Korean: 보완물
- European Portuguese: complemento
- Spanish: complemento
Nearby words of
complement
Related terms of
complement
Source
Definition of complement from the
Collins English Dictionary
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