What is the Difference Between Compliment and Complement?

The difference between "compliment" and "complement" lies in their meanings and usage:

• Compliment:
• As a noun, it refers to a polite expression of esteem, admiration, or affection, often used to describe someone's achievement or appearance.
• As a verb, it means to express praise, respect, or affection, often in the form of a remark.
• Examples: "Send my compliments to the chef. Dinner was great" and "I wanted to compliment Diana on her beautiful dress".
• Complement:
• As a noun, it refers to something that completes or makes something else better.
• As a verb, it means to complete or add to something in a way that improves it.
• Examples: "The shoes were the perfect complement to the entire outfit" and "The earrings really complement your blue eyes".

To remember the difference, you can associate the letter "I" in "compliment" with the word "insult," as an insult is the opposite of a compliment. Additionally, you can think of the word "enhance" when you look at the "e" in "complement," as enhancement is a synonym of complement.

Comparative Table: Compliment vs Complement

Here is a table summarizing the difference between "compliment" and "complement":

"Compliment" is used to express admiration or praise for someone or something, while "complement" is used to complete or enhance something, making it better. Although the words sound similar, they have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably or synonymously.