easy
Zara gave her partner a sincere compliment about his drawing.
What does Compliment mean?
A compliment is praise, and to compliment someone is to give praise.
Dictionary definition
A remark or action that expresses praise, admiration, or respect, or to express those positive feelings to someone.
Example sentences
Compliment in a sentence
easy
The coach complimented the team on its patient passing.
medium
We sent our compliments to the chef after the meal.
hard
Niko took the careful question as a compliment because it showed that people valued his expertise.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice compliment in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Commonly confused words
Compliment or complement?
Compare the meanings, then choose a word for each new sentence.
Compliment
Praise, or the act of giving praise.
In a sentence Her kind compliment made me smile.
Complement
Something that completes or goes well with something else.
In a sentence The scarf is a bright complement to the coat.
Spot the difference A compliment is praise. A complement completes something or goes well with it.
Which word fits?
Choose compliment or complement for each blank. Say your answer, then check why it fits.
1Your painting is beautiful! That was a lovely ___.
Check answer 1
compliment — The kind words give praise.
2The crunchy topping is a perfect ___ to the smooth soup.
Check answer 2
complement — The topping goes well with the soup; it does not praise it.
Make it your ownTry the word in a sentence about your day.
Write a sentence with complimentQuick practice
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Practice the meaning of Compliment
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What is a compliment?
A compliment communicates positive approval, admiration, or respect.
Practice 2
Choose the word that completes the sentence: “I want to ___ you on your clear explanation.”
The speaker wants to express praise, so the verb compliment is correct.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses compliment correctly?
The teacher expressed praise; the other sentences need complement.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Compliment
Voice settings
Sounds like
kom · pluh · ment · strongest beat: kom
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordCompliment.
Partnoun, verb.
MeaningCompliment means A compliment is praise, and to compliment someone is to give praise.
ExampleExample: Zara gave her partner a sincere compliment about his drawing.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- kom · pluh · ment
- Strongest beat
- kom
- Ending
- ment
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on kom.
Your turn
Say Compliment
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced compliment.
Synonyms
Words like Compliment
Antonyms
Opposite words
insultUse as a noun or verb for a hurtful expression rather than praise.
criticizeUse as a verb for pointing out faults rather than expressing approval.
Synonym practice
Want to practice compliment synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Nora gave a kind compliment about the drawing," then compare close word choices. Practice compliment synonyms.
Word family
Compliment word family
Base word
compliment
verb
compliments
More than one expression of praise, or expresses praise.
verb
complimented
Expressed praise, admiration, or respect.
verb
complimenting
Currently expressing praise, admiration, or respect.
adjective
complimentary
Expressing praise, or provided free of charge in another common sense.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Compliment
Hint for students
Compliment with an i is praise. You can give a compliment or compliment someone on something.
Common mix-up
Compliment and complement sound alike. Compliment means praise; complement means something completes, improves, or fits well with something else.
Try it in class or at home
Write specific compliments that name an effort, skill, or thoughtful action instead of judging appearance. Then sort compliment, complementary, and complimentary by meaning, including the free-of-charge sense of complimentary.
Teacher prompt
Compare a compliment about a painting with a color that complements the painting. Which sentence communicates praise, and which describes a good fit?
Word Wheel
Practice with the School Words Wheel
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Learning activities
Practice Compliment and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice COMPLIMENT” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
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Sentence Builder
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Context Clue Challenge
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Practice COMPLIMENT
Synonym Search
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Practice COMPLIMENT
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