Meaning & use

complement

noun·Academic

Something that completes, enhances, or perfectly matches something else.

See it in a sentence

The creamy sauce was the perfect complement to the spicy grilled chicken.

Her calm personality is a great complement to his more energetic style.

A note on using this word

Do not confuse complement, meaning 'to complete', with the unrelated word 'compliment', meaning 'to praise'.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To complete or improve something by adding a related, well-matched feature.

The new curtains complement the room's soft gray walls nicely.

Make it your own

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