Basic Details
Word: Compliment
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Something kind you say to praise someone or show you admire them, like telling a friend their drawing is lovely.
Synonyms: praise
Antonyms: insult
Sounds like: complement (something that goes well with another thing or makes it complete)
How to Spell Compliment
Syllables: com - pli - ment
Tricky part: The middle is -pli- with an i. Do not mix it up with complement (with an e), which means something that completes or goes well with another thing.
Watch out for: complimant, complament, compliement
Memory tip: I like to give a compliment: the i in the middle of compliment stands for I, the person being kind.
Idioms and Phrases
- pay a compliment: to say something kind and admiring to someone Example: "Grandpa paid the cook a compliment on her soft idlis."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Riya blushed when her teacher praised her neat handwriting; she was not used to compliments.
Example 2: A kind compliment can make someone's whole day better.
Example 3: Dev took my comment about his new haircut as a compliment.
Fun Fact
Compliment and complement go back to the same Latin verb, complere, 'to fill up', which is why they look so alike.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
Arun smiled when his coach gave him a ___ on his bowling.
a) complimant
b) compliment
c) complement
d) compliance
Show answer
b) compliment. Words of praise are a compliment with an i; complement with an e means something that completes.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
mopclinemt
a) a paper that shows how much money you have to pay
b) words of praise said to show you admire someone
c) a short trip to see interesting places
d) a loud signal that warns people of danger
Show answer
b) words of praise said to show you admire someone. Sorted out, the ten letters make compliment, and a compliment is a kind thing you say.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) equipment
b) instrument
c) argument
d) complimant
Show answer
d) complimant. Like argument and equipment, it ends in -ment, not -mant.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is a compliment?
a) Your painting is lovely.
b) Close the door.
c) Where is my pen?
d) You are late again.
Show answer
a) Your painting is lovely.
2. Which word is the opposite of compliment?
a) speech
b) letter
c) insult
d) gift
Show answer
c) insult
