Complement — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkäm-plə-mənt/ (noun) /ˈkäm-plə-ˌment/ (verb) com·ple·ment

Meaning & Definition of Complement

Complement (noun)

  1. something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect
  2. the full quantity, number, or assortment needed or included
  3. the whole force or personnel of a ship

Complement (verb)

  1. to complete or enhance by providing something additional, to be complementary to
  2. compliment
  3. to exchange formal courtesies

Complement (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that serves to complete or make up for a deficiency in something else

    "with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other"

    similar: correlate, supplement
    related: addendum, addition, appendix, adjunct, annex, appendage, extension, accessory, accompaniment, appliance, attachment, additive, filler

  2. the largest number or amount that something can hold

    "a full complement of sailors on the ship"

    similar: capacity, cubage, real estate, volume
    related: burden, fill, fullness, load, measure, area, room, space, stowage

Complement (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to serve as a completing element to

    "this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash"

    similar: complete, round (off or out)
    related: finish (off), flesh (out), adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, better, enhance, improve, constitute, form, make up, enrich, perfect

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Complement

The most common words with a similar meaning to Complement:

correlate, supplement, capacity, cubage, real estate, volume, complete, round (off or out)

Related Words for Complement

addendum, addition, appendix, adjunct, annex, appendage, extension, accessory, accompaniment, appliance, attachment, additive, filler, burden, fill, fullness, load, measure, area, room, space, stowage, finish (off), flesh (out), adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, better, enhance

Word Forms of Complement

Inflections: complemented, complementing, complements

Origin & Etymology of Complement

Middle English, "means of completing, consummation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "carrying out" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin complēmentum "something that fills out or completes," from complēre "to fill, make up, carry to completion" + -mentum -ment complete:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Complement

Words & Phrases Containing Complement

complement fixation, objective complement, subjective complement, two's complement

Frequently Asked Questions about Complement

What does "Complement" mean?

"Complement" means something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Complement"?

Other words for "Complement" include correlate, supplement, capacity, cubage, real estate, volume, complete and round (off or out). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Complement" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Complement"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Complement". Common alternatives include correlate, supplement, capacity, cubage, real estate, volume, complete and round (off or out).

How do you use "Complement" in a sentence?

Examples of "Complement" in a sentence: "with his practicality and her refreshing enthusiasm, they are perfect complements to each other"; "a full complement of sailors on the ship"; "this silk handkerchief will complement your suit very nicely and give it a bit of dash".

Is "Complement" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Complement" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Complement" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Complement" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Complement"?

"Complement" is pronounced /ˈkäm-plə-mənt/ as a noun and /ˈkäm-plə-ˌment/ as a verb and divided into syllables as com·ple·ment.

What is the origin of the word "Complement"?

"Complement" comes from Middle English, "means of completing, consummation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, "carrying out" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin complēmentum "something that fills out or completes," from complēre "to fill, make up, carry to completion" + -mentum -ment complete:1. First known use: 14th century.