compliment
[ noun kom-pluh-muhnt; verb kom-pluh-ment ]
/ noun ˈkɒm plə mənt; verb ˈkɒm pləˌmɛnt /
noun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to pay compliments.
VIDEO FOR COMPLIMENT
Origin of compliment
1570–80; < French < Italian
complimento < Spanish
cumplimiento, equivalent to
cumpli- (see
comply) +
-miento
-ment; earlier identical in spelling with
complement
SYNONYMS FOR compliment
usage note for compliment
See
complement.
OTHER WORDS FROM compliment
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compliment
complement compliment (see usage note at complement)Words nearby compliment
complication,
complice,
complicit,
complicity,
complier,
compliment,
complimentary,
complimentary close,
compline,
complot,
comply
Example sentences from the Web for compliment
British Dictionary definitions for compliment
compliment
noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
(usually plural)
a greeting of respect or regard
verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt) (tr)
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
Word Origin for compliment
C17: from French, from Italian
complimento, from Spanish
cumplimiento, from
cumplir to complete, do what is fitting, be polite
undefined compliment
Avoid confusion with
complement
Idioms and Phrases with compliment
compliment
see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.