complementary meaning

complementary as an adjective

1. of words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other
   • `male' and `female' are complementary terms

   Similar: antonymous

2. acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)

   Synonyms: complemental, completing

   Similar: additive

   Related forms: complement, complementarity

complementary as a noun

1. either one of two chromatic colors that when mixed together give white (in the case of lights) or grey (in the case of pigments)
   • yellow and blue are complementaries

   Synonyms: complementary color

   Type of: chromatic color

How to pronounce complementary

complementary is pronounced /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri/ in British English and /ˌkɑmpləˈmɛntri/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.

Words that rhyme with complementary

• entry
• gentry
• sentry
• elementary