What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complement
Example
The red wine complemented the steak perfectly. [complemented: past tense verb]
Example
The scarf was a perfect complement to her outfit. [complement: noun]
accessory
Example
She wore a beautiful necklace as an accessory to her dress. [accessory: noun]
Example
The phone case is a useful accessory for protecting your phone. [accessory: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accessory is more commonly used than complement in everyday language. Accessory is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while complement is less common and is often used in specific contexts such as food and drinks.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between complement and accessory?
Both complement and accessory can be used in formal and informal contexts, but complement may be perceived as more formal due to its specific usage in certain contexts such as food and drinks.
