Complimentary — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē/ com·pli·men·ta·ry

Meaning & Definition of Complimentary

Complimentary (adjective)

  1. expressing praise or admiration, expressing or containing a compliment
  2. favorable
  3. given free as a courtesy or favor

Complimentary (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. expressing approval

    "the novel received overwhelmingly complimentary reviews"

    similar: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, favorable, friendly, good, positive
    related: accepting, warm, encomiastic, eulogistic, flattering, hagiographic, laudative, laudatory, panegyrical, praiseful, respectful, supportive, sympathetic, adoring, adulatory, idolizing, worshipful, worshipping, advisory, recommendatory
    opposite: adverse, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disapproving, inappreciative, negative, unappreciative, uncomplimentary, unfavorable, unflattering, unfriendly
    near: captious, carping, caviling, censuring, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, belittling, contemptuous, disdainful, disparaging, scornful, slighting

  2. not costing or charging anything

    "the airline will continue to give out complimentary soft drinks on all domestic flights"

    similar: costless, free, gratis, gratuitous, on the house
    related: nominal, bestowed, donated, given, pro bono, discretionary, freewill, optional, voluntary, honorary, uncompensated, unpaid
    near: paid, costly, dear, expensive, high

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Complimentary

The most common words with a similar meaning to Complimentary:

admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, favorable, friendly, good, positive, costless, free, gratis, gratuitous, on the house

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Complimentary

Words with the opposite meaning of Complimentary:

adverse, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disapproving, inappreciative, negative, unappreciative, uncomplimentary, unfavorable, unflattering, unfriendly

Related Words for Complimentary

accepting, warm, encomiastic, eulogistic, flattering, hagiographic, laudative, laudatory, panegyrical, praiseful, respectful, supportive, sympathetic, adoring, adulatory, idolizing, worshipful, worshipping, advisory, recommendatory, nominal, bestowed, donated, given, pro bono, discretionary, freewill, optional, voluntary, honorary

Near Antonyms of Complimentary

captious, carping, caviling, censuring, critical, faultfinding, hypercritical, overcritical, belittling, contemptuous, disdainful, disparaging, scornful, slighting, paid, costly, dear, expensive, high

Word Forms of Complimentary

Derived words: complimentarily (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Complimentary

compliment:1 + -ary:2

First known use: 1714

Words & Phrases Containing Complimentary

complimentary close

Frequently Asked Questions about Complimentary

What does "Complimentary" mean?

"Complimentary" means expressing praise or admiration, expressing or containing a compliment. As an adjective, it is defined as: expressing praise or admiration, expressing or containing a compliment. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Complimentary"?

Other words for "Complimentary" include admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, favorable and friendly. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Complimentary" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Complimentary"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Complimentary". Common alternatives include admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, favorable, friendly, good and positive.

What is the opposite of "Complimentary"?

Antonyms of "Complimentary" include adverse, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disapproving, inappreciative, negative and unappreciative. Near antonyms include captious, carping, caviling and censuring.

How do you use "Complimentary" in a sentence?

Examples of "Complimentary" in a sentence: "the novel received overwhelmingly complimentary reviews"; "the airline will continue to give out complimentary soft drinks on all domestic flights".

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

"Complimentary" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Complimentary"?

"Complimentary" is pronounced /ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē/ and divided into syllables as com·pli·men·ta·ry.

What is the origin of the word "Complimentary"?

"Complimentary" comes from compliment:1 + -ary:2. First known use: 1714.