First Known Use: 1598
Dictionary
1compliment
noun com·pli·ment \ˈkäm-plə-mənt\
: a remark that says something good about someone or something
: an action that expresses admiration or approval
Full Definition of COMPLIMENT
1
a : an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially : an admiring remark b : formal and respectful recognition : honor
2
plural : best wishes : regards <accept my compliments> <compliments of the season>
See compliment defined for English-language learners
See compliment defined for kids
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Examples of COMPLIMENT
- Boys in the Midwest grow up without a word of praise, their parents fearful that a compliment might make them vain … —Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991
- Mallard scowled at him. He had never learned to receive compliment or expressions of gratitude gracefully. —Dorothy Simpson, The Night She Died, 1981
- “The warden said he wouldn't let just anybody have a young swan, but he'd let you have one because you understand about birds, and he trusts you. That's quite a compliment, son.” Mr. Beaver looked pleased. —E. B. White, The Trumpet Of The Swan, (1970) 2000
- The first presentation of Falstaff I ever saw was yours … Perhaps the best compliment I can pay is to say, as I truly can, I am very anxious to see it again. —Abraham Lincoln, letter, 17 Aug. 1863
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Origin of COMPLIMENT
Middle French, from Italian complimento, from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir to be courteous — more at comply
2compliment
verb com·pli·ment \ˈkäm-plə-ˌment\
: to say nice things about (someone or something) : to pay a compliment to (someone or something)
Full Definition of COMPLIMENT
transitive verb
1
: to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to : to pay a compliment to
2
: to present with a token of esteem
See compliment defined for English-language learners
Examples of COMPLIMENT
- She was forever complimenting Ziba's exotic appearance and asking for her viewpoint on various international issues. —Anne Tyler, Digging to America, 2006
- … she had gotten a three-and-a-half-star review in the Nut County Reporter, complimenting her especially on her crème brûlée and her pork medallions … —Jane Smiley, Good Faith, 2003
- What a day. She had been winked at, complimented, given a gift, and now mistaken for the mysterious Alyce … —Karen Cushman, The Midwife's Apprentice, 1995
- Wilde would compliment him later: ‘I have always regarded you as the best critic of my plays.’ ‘But I have never criticised your plays,’ said Tree. ‘That's why,’ said Wilde. —Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988
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Origin of COMPLIMENT
(see 1compliment)
First Known Use: 1673
Related to COMPLIMENT
- Synonyms
- congratulate, felicitate, hug
Rhymes with COMPLIMENT
accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, circumvent, compartment, complement, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, orient, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement
COMPLIMENT Defined for Kids
1compliment
noun com·pli·ment \ˈkäm-plə-mənt\
Definition of COMPLIMENT for Kids
1
: an act or expression of praise, approval, respect, or admiration
2
compliments plural : best wishes <Please accept this with my compliments.>
2compliment
verb com·pli·ment \ˈkäm-plə-ˌment\
com·pli·ment·edcom·pli·ment·ing
Definition of COMPLIMENT for Kids
: to express praise, approval, respect, or admiration to
Synonym Discussion of COMPLIMENT
compliment, praise, and flatter mean to express approval or admiration to someone personally. compliment is used of a courteous or pleasant statement of admiration. <He complimented students on their neat work.> praise may be used when the statement of approval comes from a person in authority. <The boss praised us for doing a good job.> flatter is used of complimenting a person too much and especially insincerely. <We flattered the teacher in the hope of getting better grades.>
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Next Word in the Dictionary: complimentalPrevious Word in the Dictionary: complierAll Words Near: compliment
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