compliment
pronunciation
How to pronounce compliment in British English:
UK [ˈkɒmplɪmənt , ˈkɒmplɪment]
How to pronounce compliment in American English:
US [ˈkɑːmplɪmənt , ˈkɑːmplɪment]
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- Noun:
- a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
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- Verb:
- say something to someone that expresses praise
- express respect or esteem for
Word Origin
- compliment
- compliment: [17] Compliment and complement, so often confused, are in effect doublets. They come from the same ultimate source, Latin complēmentum, a noun derived from complēre ‘fill up, finish’ (source of English complete and accomplish). English borrowed complement direct from Latin in the 14th century in the sense ‘fulfilment, accomplishment’, and by the 16th century this had developed the more specific metaphorical meaning ‘fulfilment of the obligation of politeness’ – hence ‘polite words of praise’.But then in the 17th century came competition in the form of compliment, also meaning ‘polite words of praise’. This also came from Latin complēmentum, but along a circuitous route via Vulgar Latin *complimentum, Spanish cumplimiento, and French compliment. It gradually took over from complement in this ‘flattering’ sense, while complement went on to develop its leading current meaning, ‘counterpart’, in the 19th century.=> accomplish, complement, complete, comply, expletive, plenary, plenty
- compliment (n.)
- "An act, or expression of civility, usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares" [Johnson], 1570s, complement, via French compliment (17c.), from Italian complimento "expression of respect and civility," from Vulgar Latin *complire, for Latin complere "to complete" (see complete (adj.)), via notion of "complete the obligations of politeness." Same word as complement but by a different etymological route; differentiated by spelling after 1650.
- compliment (v.)
- 1610s, from French complimenter, from compliment (see compliment (n.)). Related: Complimented; complimenting.
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. What a doubtful compliment this is to pay me !
- 2. Aviad saw how happy that compliment made maya .
- 3. When did you last pay them a compliment ?
- 4. And why not give them a sincere compliment to boost their self-esteem ?
- 5. It 's just amazing how one compliment can change the relationship dynamics .