Grammarama

Complement vs. Compliment

If two things are complements, they are counterparts in some way. For example, each primary color (red, blue, and yellow) has a complementary color (green, orange, and purple, respectively), which is formed by mixing the other two primary colors. In economics, goods that are complements will rise and fall in demand at the same time, like hamburgers and hamburger buns, often because they’re used together. Meanwhile, a compliment is what you would give someone to express praise, respect, or gratitude.

To complement means to complete, and both words begin with “comple.”


Examples:

Salt is an excellent complement to many foods.
Thank you for the kind compliment.
Yin and yang symbolize opposing forces that complement each other.
You aren’t the first person who has complimented me about my new hairstyle.
Red and green are complementary colors, as are blue and orange, and yellow and purple.
We get complimentary breadsticks before our meal.