complement vs compliment: what's the difference?

A complement completes or goes well with something; a compliment is praise.

complement

/ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

Meaning: something that completes or suits something else

Example: “The wine is a perfect complement to the meal.”

Full definition of complement →

compliment

/ˈkɒmplɪmənt/

Meaning: a polite remark of praise

Example: “She paid me a compliment on my cooking.”

Full definition of compliment →

How to remember

Complement completes; compliments are what "I" like to get.

More commonly confused words