- a remark or act expressing respect, admiration, etc
- (usually plural) a greeting of respect or regard
- to express admiration of; congratulate or commend
- to express or show respect or regard for, esp by a gift
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•pli•ment /n. ˈkɑmpləmənt; v. ˈkɑmpləˌmɛnt/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object (+ on + object)]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- an expression of praise or admiration:He paid her a nice compliment on her dress.
- a formal act or gesture of respect or of high regard: The mayor paid her the compliment of a police escort.
v. [~ + object (+ on + object)]
- to pay a compliment to;
praise:He complimented the hostess on the dinner.
com•pli•ment
(n. kom′plə mənt;v. kom′plə ment′),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
v.i.
com′pli•ment′a•ble, adj.
com′pli•ment′er, n.
com′pli•ment′ing•ly, adv.
- an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration:A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.
- a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard:The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.
- compliments, a courteous greeting;
good wishes;
regards:He sends you his compliments. - [Archaic.]a gift;
present.
v.t.
- to pay a compliment to:She complimented the child on his good behavior.
- to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor:He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.
- to congratulate;
felicitate:to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.
v.i.
- to pay compliments.
- Spanish cumplimiento, equivalent. to cumpli- (see comply) + -miento -ment; earlier identical in spelling, spelled with complement
- Italian complimento
- French
- 1570–80
com′pli•ment′er, n.
com′pli•ment′ing•ly, adv.
- 1. kudos, tribute, eulogy, panegyric. 5. commend, praise, honor.
- 1. disparagement.
- See complement.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
compliment n /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/