Grammar Clinic: The REAL difference between COMPLEMENT and COMPLIMENT

These two words are pronounced the same, but they are spelled differently and have different meanings.

COMPLIMENT (noun, verb)

Compliment can be both a noun and a verb. A compliment is a positive comment about someone or something, for example: “You have beautiful eyes!”

And the verb compliment (or the expression “pay someone a compliment”) means to make a positive comment:

• He complimented me on my web design skills.
• He paid me a compliment on my web design skills.

Complimentary Close

A complimentary close, also known as a complimentary closing, is the term prior to your signature in an email message or letter. They are Words, such as Yours truly, that appear at the end of a letter and just before the writer’s signature, used as a polite termination of the letter.

Compliments of the Season

I’ve seen so many people write “Complements of the Season”. It is so wrong to write that. Compliments of the Season is Used as a seasonal greeting at Christmas or the New Year.

COMPLIMENTARY (adjective)

The adjective complimentary means “free”:

• At this hotel, breakfast is complimentary.
• You get a complimentary cookie when you order coffee at that café.

COMPLEMENT (noun, verb)
COMPLEMENTARY (adjective)

Complement can also be a noun or a verb. If two things complement each other, it means they go well together; they make each other appear better.

• That necklace is the perfect complement to your outfit.
  (complement = noun)
• My project partner and I really complement each other. We make a good team.
  (complement = verb)

The adjective complementary means that two things are different, but go together well – you could say:

• My project partner and I have complementary skills.