# compliment

/ˈkɑmpɫəmɛnt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compliment
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. praise or admiration

noun · CEFR B2

a polite or kind remark you say to someone to show you admire them.

For teachers: an expression of praise, congratulation, or respect directed toward an individual.

- He paid her a lovely compliment on her new hairstyle.
- Accepting a compliment with grace can be difficult for those who are naturally modest or self-critical.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'pay' as in 'to pay someone a compliment'.

## Examples

- She gave me a lovely compliment on my new dress.
- Taking a compliment gracefully can be difficult for people who struggle with low self-esteem.
- While some view imitation as the highest form of flattery, others find it a backhanded compliment that suggests a lack of original vision.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.