Complement and compliment sound exactly the same, which is why they get mixed up in writing more than in speech. One letter changes the whole meaning.
A complement is something that completes or goes well with something else.
complement full definition →
A compliment is a nice thing you say about someone, praising them.
compliment full definition →
| complement | compliment | |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Completes or matches something | Praises someone |
| Part of speech | Noun or verb | Noun or verb |
| Memory trick | complEment has an E, like "complEte" | complIment has an I, like "I like it" |
Complement completes something. Compliment praises someone. Remember: complEte takes an E, just like complEment.
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