Meaning & use
complementarity
The relationship between two things that complete, enhance, or balance each other when combined.
See it in a sentence
The two researchers' skills showed a strong complementarity that made their partnership successful.
The dish relies on the complementarity of sweet and salty flavors.
A note on using this word
In physics, complementarity also names the principle that objects, like light, can show both wave and particle properties depending on observation.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
In physics, the principle that objects can have complementary properties that cannot both be observed or measured at the same time.
Bohr's principle of complementarity explains why light behaves as both a wave and a particle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “complementarity”, then compare your use with the examples above.