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complement

[ˈkɒmplɪmənt]

complement Definition

  • 1a thing that completes or brings to perfection
  • 2a number or quantity of something required to make a group complete

Using complement: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "complement" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The wine is a perfect complement to the meal.

  • Example

    The new curtains are a great complement to the room's decor.

  • Example

    The orchestra has a full complement of musicians.

  • Example

    The two teams have complementary skills.

complement Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using complement

  • to say something nice or flattering to someone

    Example

    I paid her a compliment on her new haircut.

  • a remark that seems to be a compliment but could also be interpreted as an insult

    Example

    When he said I looked good for my age, I knew it was a backhanded compliment.

  • left-handed compliment

    a compliment that is also a subtle insult

    Example

    When she said I was smarter than I looked, I knew it was a left-handed compliment.

Phrases with complement

  • the complete number or quantity of something required

    Example

    The hotel has a full complement of staff during peak season.

  • to combine well together and enhance each other's qualities

    Example

    Their personalities complement each other perfectly.

  • the angle that, when added to the given angle, makes a right angle (90 degrees)

    Example

    The complement of a 30-degree angle is a 60-degree angle.

Origins of complement

from Latin 'complementum', meaning 'that which fills up or completes'

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Summary: complement in Brief

The term 'complement' [ˈkɒmplɪmənt] refers to something that completes or enhances another thing, such as wine complementing a meal or new curtains complementing a room's decor. It can also refer to the complete number or quantity of something required, like a full complement of staff. The phrase 'complement each other' describes how two things combine well together and enhance each other's qualities.

How do native speakers use this expression?