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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

a : an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration; especially : an admiring remark

b : formal and respectful recognition : honor

plural : best wishes : regards <accept my compliments> <compliments of the season>

See compliment defined for English-language learners

See compliment defined for kids

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

First Known Use: 1598

Related to COMPLIMENT

Synonyms: bouquet, kudo

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

: to express esteem, respect, affection, or admiration to : to pay a compliment to

: 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

COMPLIMENTS Defined for Kids

¹compliment

noun com·pli·ment \ˈkäm-plə-mənt\

Definition of COMPLIMENT for Kids

: an act or expression of praise, approval, respect, or admiration

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.>