adjective
complimentary
komp-lih-MEHNT-ree
adjective
1
Expressing praise or admiration.
"She made a few complimentary remarks about his presentation."
2
Given free of charge, often as a courtesy.
"The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast to all guests."
"We received complimentary tickets to the show."
How to Use Complimentary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither praising someone, or given for free.
Common mistake
Easy to mix up with "complementary" (things that go well together, like complementary colours). Complimentary = praise or free; complementary = completing/matching.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
complimentary remarks
complimentary breakfast
complimentary copy
Word Forms
more complimentary comparative, most complimentary superlative
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Etymology
From "compliment" (noun) + the suffix "-ary." A near-doublet of "complementary," which comes from a different root meaning "completing."