Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense compliments, present participle complimenting, past tense, past participle complimentedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (kɒmplɪment). The noun is pronounced (kɒmplɪmənt).
1. countable noun
A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
He has never paid me a compliment.
I try to graciously accept both compliments and criticism.
2. verb
If you compliment someone, you pay them a compliment.
They complimented me on the way I looked each time they saw me. [VERB noun + on]
Firstly I compliment you on most of your excellent Spring issue of 'Triangle'. [VERB noun on noun]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: praise, flatter, salute, congratulate More Synonyms of compliment
3. countable noun
If you consider something that a person says or does as a compliment, it convinces you of your own good qualities, or that the person appreciates you.
We consider it a compliment to be called 'conservative'.
It's obvious he's worried about us and I'm taking it as a compliment.
4. plural noun [usually poss NOUN]
You can refer to your compliments when you want to express thanks, good wishes, or respect to someone in a formal way.
[politeness]
My compliments to the chef. [+ to]
Our compliments to all involved.
5.
See return the compliment
6.
See with sb's compliments
More Synonyms of compliment
compliment in British English
noun (ˈkɒmplɪmənt)
1.
a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
2. (usually plural)
a greeting of respect or regard
verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt)(transitive)
3.
to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
4.
to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
▶ USAGE Avoid confusion with complement
Word origin
C17: from French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to complete, do what is fitting, be polite
compliment in American English
(ˈkɑmpləmənt; for v .; ˈkɑmpləˌmɛnt)
noun
1.
a formal act or expression of courtesy or respect
2.
something said in admiration, praise, or flattery
3. [pl.]
courteous greetings; respects
send it with our compliments
4. Chiefly Dialectal
a gift given for services; tip
verb transitive
5.
to pay a compliment to; congratulate
6.
to present something to (a person) as an act of politeness or respect
Word origin
Fr < It complimento < Sp cumplimiento < cumplir, to fill up < VL *complire, for L complere, to complete
Examples of 'compliment' in a sentence
compliment
It would not have been out of place had the visitors returned the compliment yesterday.
The Sun (2016)
It was a great compliment to me.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
That is the biggest compliment.
The Sun (2016)
It is a big compliment because the performance was at Old Trafford.
The Sun (2016)
He said it was a great game and complimented us on the way we played.
The Sun (2013)
Try to see it as a compliment to your good nature as a team player.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Maybe this is her way of returning the compliment.
The Sun (2008)
We all like compliments and it is no more than that.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You cannot pay him a bigger compliment than that.
The Sun (2015)
It was a compliment to the way we were defending.
The Sun (2011)
Pay compliments and put your companion at ease.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Masters is happy to return the compliment.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
To get through a single mouthful of the stuff is the biggest compliment you can pay it.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It means they are giving you a compliment in a way.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Can you compliment me on something?
The Sun (2008)
This would be considered a compliment.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
That was a very good compliment.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's a compliment and a great honour.
The Sun (2013)
At home, compliments replace criticism and relationships can get back to their best.
The Sun (2008)
I take it as a compliment that she likes to share my bed.
The Sun (2016)
I say the shop assistant has just paid her one of the biggest compliments a woman can get.
The Sun (2010)
Despite their on-screen rivalry, when the cameras stopped rolling the pair exchanged gifts and compliments.
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
compliment
British English: compliment /ˈkɒmplɪˌmɛnt/ NOUN
A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
You can do no harm by paying a woman compliments.
American English: compliment
Arabic: مُجَامَلَة
Brazilian Portuguese: cumprimento expressão de civilidade
Chinese: 称赞
Croatian: kompliment
Czech: kompliment
Danish: kompliment
Dutch: compliment
European Spanish: halago
Finnish: kohteliaisuus lausahdus
French: compliment
German: Kompliment
Greek: φιλοφρόνηση
Italian: complimento
Japanese: ほめことば
Korean: 칭찬
Norwegian: kompliment
Polish: komplement
European Portuguese: elogio
Romanian: compliment
Russian: комплимент
Latin American Spanish: halago
Swedish: komplimang
Thai: คำชมเชย
Turkish: iltifat
Ukrainian: комплімент
Vietnamese: lời khen
British English: compliment /ˈkɒmplɪment/ VERB
If you compliment someone, you say something nice about them.
They complimented me on the way I looked each time they saw me.
American English: compliment
Arabic: يُجَامِلُ
Brazilian Portuguese: cumprimentar
Chinese: 称赞
Croatian: komplimentirati
Czech: chválit
Danish: komplimentere
Dutch: complimenteren
European Spanish: halagar
Finnish: kehua
French: complimenter
German: ein Kompliment machen
Greek: κάνω φιλοφρόνηση
Italian: complimentarsi
Japanese: ほめる
Korean: 칭찬하다
Norwegian: gratulere
Polish: pochwalić
European Portuguese: cumprimentar
Romanian: a complimenta
Russian: делать комплимент
Latin American Spanish: halagar
Swedish: ge komplimang
Thai: ชมเชย
Turkish: iltifat etmek
Ukrainian: робити комплімент
Vietnamese: khen ngợi
Chinese translation of 'compliment'
compliment
(nˈkɔmplɪmənt; vbˈkɔmplɪmɛnt)
n(c)
(= remark) 赞(讚)美 (zànměi) (种(種), zhǒng)
(= action) 荣(榮)幸 (róngxìng)
vt
赞(讚)美 (zànměi)
to pay sb a compliment赞(讚)美某人 (zànměi mǒurén)
to take sth as a compliment把某事当(當)作是对(對)自己的肯定 (bǎ mǒushì dàngzuò shì duì zìjǐ de kěndìng)
(my) compliments to the chef!向厨(廚)师(師)致意！ (Xiàng chúshī zhìyì!)
to compliment sb on sth为(為)某事赞(讚)美某人 (wèi mǒushì zànměi mǒurén)
to compliment sb for doing sth因为(為)做某事赞(讚)美某人 (yīnwèi zuò mǒushì zànměi mǒurén)
see usage note
complement
(noun)
Definition
an expression of praise
She accepted the compliment with good grace.
Synonyms
praise
I have nothing but praise for my employees.
honour
One old campaigner at least will be received with honour.
tribute
The song is a tribute to Elvis Presley.
courtesy
admiration
bouquet
flattery
eulogy
He added his praise to the glowing eulogies given by her colleagues.
Opposites
criticism
,
complaint
,
condemnation
,
reproach
,
sideswipe
,
disparagement
1 (plural noun)
Definition
formal greetings
Give my compliments to all your colleagues.
Synonyms
greetings
regards
respects
remembrances
good wishes
salutation
Opposites
insult
2 (plural noun)
That was an excellent meal – my compliments to the chef.
Synonyms
congratulations
praise
commendation
(verb)
Definition
to express admiration for
They complimented me on my performance.
Synonyms
praise
Many praised him for taking a strong stand.
flatter
I knew he was just flattering me.
salute
congratulate
She congratulated him on the birth of his son.
pay tribute to
commend
She was highly commended for her bravery.
laud
extol
She keeps extolling his managerial skills.
crack up (informal)
pat on the back
sing the praises of
wax lyrical about
big up (slang)
felicitate
speak highly of
Opposites
blast
,
condemn
,
flame (informal)
, insult,
put down
,
criticize
,
reproach
,
disparage
,
decry
,
tear into (informal)
,
diss (slang)
,
lambast(e)
,
reprehend
Usage note
Compliment is sometimes confused with complement.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of commend
Definition
to praise in a formal manner
She was highly commended for her bravery.
Synonyms
praise,
acclaim,
applaud,
compliment,
extol,
approve,
big up (slang),
eulogize,
speak highly of
in the sense of congratulate
Definition
to express one's pleasure to (a person) at his or her success or good fortune
She congratulated him on the birth of his son.
Synonyms
compliment,
pat on the back,
felicitate,
wish joy to
in the sense of eulogy
Definition
high praise
He added his praise to the glowing eulogies given by her colleagues.