complement
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to add to something in a way that improves it or makes it perfect.
v.to contribute extra features to someone or something in such a way as to improve or emphasise their qualities.
Simple“The blue tie really complements your grey suit.”
In context“The minimalist production design complements the stark, emotional themes of the play without distracting the audience from the performances.”
PitfallThe wine complimented the meal perfectly. The wine complemented the meal perfectly.Do not confuse 'complement' (to complete) with 'compliment' (to praise).
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a person or thing that goes well with something else.
n.a thing that contributes extra features to something else in a way that improves or emphasises its quality.
Simple“The delicious sauce was the perfect complement to the grilled fish.”
In context“The new CEO's focus on operational efficiency proved to be a vital complement to the founder's creative vision.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.the total number or amount of people or things needed for something.
n.the full number or quantity required or allowed to make something complete.
Simple“The ship finally had its full complement of sailors and was ready to sail.”
In context“The department is currently operating with a full complement of staff for the first time since the restructuring began last year.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a word or phrase that follows a verb and gives more information about the subject or object.
n.a word or phrase, especially an adjective or noun, that is used after a linking verb to complete the predicate.
Simple“In the sentence 'She seems happy', the word 'happy' is a complement.”
In context“The professor explained that while some verbs are intransitive, others require a complement to form a grammatically complete sentence.”
UsageIn the sentence 'He is a doctor', the phrase 'a doctor' is a subject complement.
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.an amount or set that, when added to another, makes a whole.
n.the amount or set required to complete a whole, such as an angle that makes a right angle or a set of elements not in a given subset.
Simple“The complement of a 30-degree angle is a 60-degree angle.”
In context“In set theory, the absolute complement of set A consists of all elements in the universal set that are not members of A.”
complement vs compliment — Compliment is a polite expression of praise, while complement is something that completes or improves another thing.
“Veteran Andreas Christensen complements Cubarsi in central defence.”
“The Government has asked the UN to complement the national response, with initial priorities including temporary shelter, health, food security and protection .”
From Middle English complement, from Latin complēmentum (“that which fills up or completes”), from compleō (“to fill up; to complete”) (English complete). Doublet of compliment. The verb is from the noun.
See compliment.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.