Are "compliment" and "complement" different words?

"Compliment" and "complement" sound exactly the same, and only one letter separates them. That's why even native speakers mix them up in writing. The good news is that once you know the trick for each one, you won't have to think about it again.

Compliment

"Compliment," spelled with an "i," is when you say something nice about someone. It can be a noun or a verb. German speakers have an easy way to remember this one, because Kompliment is spelled with an "i" too.

• He complimented her on her presentation.
• My boss complimented my work today.
• I got so many compliments on this jacket.
• Thanks for the compliment!

You might also see "complimentary," which can mean "free," as in "complimentary drinks" or "a complimentary breakfast." Hotels and airlines love this word.

Complement

"Complement," spelled with an "e," is about things that go well together and make each other better. It's mostly used as a verb.

• Red wine complements cheese really well.
• Those shoes complement your outfit.
• The soft music complemented the candlelit dinner.
• Their skills complement each other, so they make a great team.

If you need a quick way to remember, think of the "e" in "complement" as the "e" in "complete." Something that complements another thing completes it. A compliment, on the other hand, is something "I" say to you.

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