Basic Details
Word: Complement
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Something that goes well with another thing and makes it complete or better. As a verb, to complement means to add to something in a way that improves it.
Synonyms: accompaniment, addition, companion, match
Sounds like: compliment (words of praise, or to praise someone)
How to Spell Complement
Syllables: com - ple - ment
Tricky part: The vowel after pl is e, as in complete. With an i it becomes compliment, a different word meaning praise.
Watch out for: complemant, complment, complemment
Memory tip: A complement completes something: complement and complete both have e after the l.
Usage Examples
Example 1: A squeeze of lemon is a good complement to hot pakoras.
Example 2: The yellow curtains complement the blue walls of my room.
Example 3: Her calm nature is a fine complement to her brother's energy.
Fun Fact
A ship's complement is the full number of crew it needs to sail, so a ship with a full complement has no empty posts.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to complement as used in the sentence:
A bowl of raita is the usual complement to a spicy biryani at our family dinners.
a) substitute
b) accompaniment
c) opposite
d) obstacle
Show answer
b) accompaniment. The raita goes with the biryani and completes the meal, which makes it an accompaniment.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. balence 2. harmoney 3. complement 4. contrest
a) something that completes or suits another thing
b) a steady state in which things are equal
c) a pleasing agreement of parts
d) a clear difference between two things
Show answer
a) something that completes or suits another thing. Complement is the correct spelling; contrast, harmony and balance are the right forms of the others.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
In the art class Mrs Kapoor explained that orange is the complemant of blue on the colour wheel, so the two colours look brighter when they are placed side by side.
a) explained
b) brighter
c) complemant
d) colour
Show answer
c) complemant. Complement and movement share the same last four letters, ment.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the right word: She paid me a ____ on my drawing.
a) compliment
b) implement
c) supplement
d) complement
Show answer
a) compliment
2. In maths, two complementary angles add up to ____.
a) 45 degrees
b) 180 degrees
c) 360 degrees
d) 90 degrees
Show answer
d) 90 degrees
