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.

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

1 kudos, tribute, eulogy, panegyric.
5 commend, praise, honor.

ANTONYMS FOR compliment

1 disparagement.

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

British Dictionary definitions for complimentable

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 complimentable

compliment

see left-handed compliment; pay a compliment; return the compliment.