Compliment — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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

Meaning & Definition of Compliment

Compliment (noun)

  1. an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially, an admiring remark
  2. formal and respectful recognition, honor
  3. best wishes, regards

Compliment (verb)

  1. to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to, to pay a compliment to
  2. to present with a token of esteem

Compliment (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an admiring personal remark

    "a woman who does not know how to accept a compliment graciously"

    similar: bouquet, kudo
    related: accolade, citation, commendation, encomium, eulogy, homage, paean, panegyric, salutation, tribute, valentine
    near: affront, barb, dart, dig, epithet, insult, put-down, slight, slur

  2. best wishes

    "please extend our compliments to the chef for a great meal"

    similar: commendations (archaic), congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects
    related: approval, benediction, blessing, endorsement, acknowledgment, citation, commendation, adulation, flattery, praise, well-wishing
    near: dig, gibe, insult, put-down, taunt

Compliment (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express to (someone) admiration for his or her success or good fortune

    "complimented her on her election victory"

    similar: congratulate, felicitate, hug
    related: applaud, cheer, commend, hail, salute, extol, glorify, laud, praise
    near: bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, write off, jeer, mock, ridicule, taunt, tease

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Compliment

The most common words with a similar meaning to Compliment:

Archaic: commendations
bouquet, kudo, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, congratulate, felicitate, hug

Related Words for Compliment

accolade, citation, commendation, encomium, eulogy, homage, paean, panegyric, salutation, tribute, valentine, approval, benediction, blessing, endorsement, acknowledgment, adulation, flattery, praise, well-wishing, applaud, cheer, commend, hail, salute, extol, glorify, laud

Near Antonyms of Compliment

affront, barb, dart, dig, epithet, insult, put-down, slight, slur, gibe, taunt, bad-mouth, belittle, cry down, decry, deprecate, depreciate, diminish, discount, disparage, minimize, put down, write off, jeer, mock, ridicule, tease

Word Forms of Compliment

Inflections: complimented, complimenting, compliments

Origin & Etymology of Compliment

borrowed from French, Italian & Spanish; French, borrowed from Italian & Spanish; Italian complimento, borrowed from Spanish cumplimiento, complimiento "offer made solely for reasons of etiquette," earlier "abundance," from cumplir "to go along (with), meet the expectations (of), satisfy (obligations of courtesy)," earlier, "to carry out, execute, fulfill" + -miento -ment comply

First known use: 1598

Words & Phrases Containing Compliment

backhanded compliment, pay (someone) a compliment, take a compliment

Frequently Asked Questions about Compliment

What does "Compliment" mean?

"Compliment" means an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially, an admiring remark. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially, an admiring remark. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Compliment"?

Other words for "Compliment" include bouquet, kudo, commendations, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards and respects. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Compliment" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Compliment"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Compliment". Common alternatives include bouquet, kudo, commendations, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects, congratulate and felicitate.

How do you use "Compliment" in a sentence?

Examples of "Compliment" in a sentence: "a woman who does not know how to accept a compliment graciously"; "please extend our compliments to the chef for a great meal"; "complimented her on her election victory".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Compliment"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Compliment"?

"Compliment" comes from borrowed from French, Italian & Spanish; French, borrowed from Italian & Spanish; Italian complimento, borrowed from Spanish cumplimiento, complimiento "offer made solely for reasons of etiquette," earlier "abundance," from cumplir "to go along (with), meet the expectations (of), satisfy (obligations of courtesy)," earlier, "to carry out, execute, fulfill" + -miento -ment comply. First known use: 1598.

What is another word for "Compliment" meaning "an admiring personal remark"?

When "Compliment" (noun) means an admiring personal remark, synonyms include bouquet and kudo.