Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense complements, present participle complementing, past tense, past participle complementedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kɒmplɪment). The noun is pronounced (kɒmplɪmənt).
1. verb
If one thing complements another, it goes well with the other thing and makes its good qualities more noticeable.
Nutmeg, parsley and cider all complement the flavour of these beans well. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: enhance, complete, improve, boost More Synonyms of complement
2. verb
If people or things complement each other, they are different or do something different, which makes them a good combination.
There will be a written examination to complement the practical test. [VERB noun]
We complement one another perfectly. [VERB noun]
3. countable noun [usually singular]
Something that is a complementto something else complements it.
The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser. [+ to]
Political knowledge is a necessary complement to science in this situation.
Synonyms: accompaniment, companion, accessory, completion More Synonyms of complement
4. countable noun [usually singular]
The complementof things or people that something has is the number of things or people that it normally has, which enable it to function properly.
[formal]
Each ship had a complement of around a dozen officers and 250 men. [+ of]
Not one house on the Close still had its full complement of windows.
Synonyms: total, capacity, quota, aggregate More Synonyms of complement
5. countable noun
In grammar, the complement of a link verb is an adjective group or noun group which comes after the verb and describes or identifies the subject. For example, in the sentence 'They felt very tired', 'very tired' is the complement. In 'They were students', 'students' is the complement.
English Easy Learning GrammarComplementsSome verbs such as be, become, seem, do not have an object but a complement. The subject complement is a word or phrase that tells us more about the subject. Alan ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarParts of the sentenceSentences consist of a number of parts, using different parts of speech. The mostimportant parts of speech are: The subject, which is either a noun phrase ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe declarativeThe declarative is used to make statements. A statement is usually the expressionof a fact or of an opinion. Statements can be both positive or negative. Kate ... Read more
complement in British English
noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)
1.
a person or thing that completes something
2.
one of two parts that make up a whole or complete each other
3.
a complete amount, number, etc (often in the phrase full complement)
4.
the officers and crew needed to man a ship
5. grammar
a.
a noun phrase that follows a copula or similar verb, as for example an idiot in the sentence He is an idiot
b.
a clause that serves as the subject or direct object of a verb or the direct object of a preposition, as for example that he would be early in the sentence I hoped that he would be early
6. mathematics
the angle that, when added to a specified angle, produces a right angle
7. logic, mathematics
the class of all things, or of all members of a given universe of discourse, that are not members of a given set
8. music
the inverted form of an interval that, when added to the interval, completes the octave
the sixth is the complement of the third
9. immunology
a group of proteins in the blood serum that, when activated by antibodies, causes destruction of alien cells, such as bacteria
verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt)
10. (transitive)
to add to, make complete, or form a complement to
▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with compliment
Word origin
C14: from Latin complēmentum, from complēre to fill up, from com- (intensive) + plēre to fill
complement in American English
(ˈkɑmpləmənt; for v .; ˈkɑmpləˌmɛnt)
noun
1.
that which completes or brings to perfection
2.
the amount or number needed to fill or complete
3.
a complete set; entirety
4.
something added to complete a whole; either of two parts that complete each other
5. Grammar
a word or group of words that, with the verb, completes the meaning and syntactic structure of the predicate (Ex.: foreman in “make him foreman,” paid in “he expects to get paid”)
6. Immunology
a complex series of proteins in the blood plasma that acts with specific antibodies to destroy corresponding antigens, as bacteria or foreign proteins
7. Ancient Mathematics
a.
the number of degrees that must be added to a given angle or arc to make it equal 90 degrees
b.
the subset which must be added to any given subset to yield the original set
8. Music
the difference between a given interval and the complete octave
9. Nautical
all of a ship's personnel, including the officers, required to operate a ship
verb transitive
10.
to make complete; be a complement to
Word origin
ME < L complementum, that which fills up or completes < complere: see complete
Examples of 'complement' in a sentence
complement
They complement each other perfectly and take on any challenge.
The Sun (2016)
It was a surprise choice, but they complemented one another.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
What is the shape of an indifference curve for two goods that are perfect complements?
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
You have a better chance of winning a football match if you have a full complement.
The Sun (2012)
We work well together and complement each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These two herbs complement each other very well.
Guyton, Anita The Natural Beauty Book - cruelty-free cosmetics to make at home (1991)
Try to pick ones that complement each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most goods are neither perfect substitutes nor perfect complements for other goods.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
They were perfect foils and complements for one another.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They might be unlikely bedfellows but they complement each other perfectly.
Bain, Roly Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)
The two goods are perfect substitutes for one individual and perfect complements for the other individual.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
The navy still lacks the full complement of escort vessels needed to form a carrier fleet.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
They both need to be well organised and complement each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The two processes should complement each other.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
They complement one another perfectly and compliment each other frequently.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The two goods are perfect complements for both individuals.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
This conceit served to point out just how well the strengths of one complemented the skills of the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is something very satisfying about a film with a directing style that so neatly complements the subject matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Friends and co-workers come up with some good ideas to complement those you have already.
The Sun (2015)
We should be approaching the middle of February with the full complement of players.
The Sun (2009)
I discovered by accident that its peppery flavour is complemented by coriander.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The acidity cuts through the egg yolk, while the greener flavours complement the chives and the lettuce hearts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
I noticed that none of their services had a complete complement of Scripture readings.
Christianity Today (2000)
The jester, while he may have been the counterpart of the king, also complements and completes him.
Bain, Roly Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)
In other languages
complement
British English: complement VERB
If one thing complements another, it goes well with the other thing and makes its good qualities more noticeable.
Nutmeg, parsley, and cider all complement the flavour of these beans well.
American English: complement
Brazilian Portuguese: complementar
Chinese: 衬托
European Spanish: complementar
French: compléter
German: ergänzen
Italian: accompagnarsi bene a
Japanese: 補い合う
Korean: ~와 잘 어울리다
European Portuguese: complementar
Latin American Spanish: complementar
British English: complement NOUN
Something that is a complement to something else complements it.
The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser.
American English: complement
Brazilian Portuguese: complemento
Chinese: 衬托物
European Spanish: complemento
French: complément
German: Ergänzung
Italian: complemento
Japanese: 補完するもの
Korean: 보완물
European Portuguese: complemento
Latin American Spanish: complemento
All related terms of 'complement'
object complement
a word or a group of words used in the predicate following a factitive verb and referring to its direct object, as treasurer in We appointed him treasurer , white in They painted the house white , or an interesting speaker in They thought him an interesting speaker
subject complement
a word or a group of words, usually functioning as an adjective or noun , that is used in the predicate following a copula and describes or is identified with the subject of the sentence, as sleepy in The travelers became sleepy
complement fixation
the fixing of complement into the product of an antigen-antibody reaction : used as an infection indicator in certain serologic tests that measure the presence or absence of free , active complement
objective complement
a word or group of words used in the predicate of a sentence as a modifier or qualifier of the direct object ( Ex .: president in “We elected him president”)
complement fixation test
a serological test for detecting the presence of a specific antibody or antigen , used in the diagnosis of syphilis , etc
Chinese translation of 'complement'
complement
(nˈkɔmplɪmənt; vbˈkɔmplɪmɛnt)
n(c)
a complement (to sth) (= enhancement) (与(與)某物)互补(補)的东(東)西 ((yǔ mǒuwù) hùbǔ de dōngxi) (= supplement) (某物的)补(補)充 ((mǒuwù de) bǔchōng)
[of staff, things]需要/允许(許)的数(數)额(額) (xūyào/yǔnxǔ de shù'é)
to have a full complement of ... 都齐(齊)全了 ( ... dōu qíquán le)
请勿将 complement 和 compliment 混淆。 complement 指使某事物变得完整、良好或者有效。例如，如果一种食物 complement 另一种食物，或是另一种食物的 complement，表示这两种食物搭配得很好。如果两个人彼此 complement，表示他们的个性相符。 Rice is a good complement to curry ... He complements his wife perfectly. 如果你 compliment 某人，或者 pay them a compliment，表示你欣赏他们或对他们赞赏有加。 I always compliment her cooking skills ... She blushed every time he paid her a compliment.
(verb)
Definition
to complete or form a complement to
Nutmeg complements the flavour of these beans perfectly.
Synonyms
enhance
They want to enhance their reputation abroad.
complete
the stickers needed to complete the collection
improve
He improved their house.
boost
They need to take action to boost sales.
crown
The summit was crowned by the signing of the historical treaty.
add to
set off
Blue suits you – it sets off the colour of your hair.
heighten
The move has heightened tension in the state.
augment
She was searching for a way to augment her income.
round off
1 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that completes something
The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser.
Synonyms
accompaniment
The recipe makes a good accompaniment to ice-cream.
companion
The book was written as the companion to a trilogy of television documentaries.
accessory
Her accessories include ear-rings, a necklace and a handbag.
completion
finishing touch
rounding-off
adjunct
Physical therapy is an important adjunct to drug treatments.
supplement
the supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica
2 (noun)
Definition
a complete amount or number
Each ship had a complement of around a dozen officers and 250 men and women.
Synonyms
total
The companies have a total of 1,776 employees.
capacity
quota
aggregate
society viewed as an aggregate of individuals
contingent
There were contingents from the navies of virtually all UN countries.
entirety
His own diary forms the entirety of the novel.
Usage note
This is sometimes confused with compliment but the two words have very different meanings. As the synonyms show, the verb form of complement means `to enhance' and `to complete' something. In contrast, common synonyms of compliment as a verb are praise, commend, and flatter.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accessory
Definition
a small item, such as a bag or belt, worn or carried by someone to complete his or her outfit
Her accessories include ear-rings, a necklace and a handbag.
Synonyms
adornment,
trimming,
trim,
decoration,
ornament,
accompaniment,
frill,
festoon,
embellishment
in the sense of adjunct
Definition
something added that is not essential
Physical therapy is an important adjunct to drug treatments.