What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
admiring
Example
She was admiring her new dress in the mirror. [admiring: verb]
Example
He gave her an admiring look when she finished her speech. [admiring: adjective]
complimentary
Example
The restaurant gave us complimentary drinks for our anniversary. [complimentary: adjective]
Example
She received a complimentary email from her boss for her hard work. [complimentary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Complimentary is more commonly used than admiring in everyday language. Complimentary is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while admiring is less common and is more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between admiring and complimentary?
Complimentary is typically associated with a more formal tone, while admiring is more casual and informal in its usage.
