Word
complimentary
Phoneticscom·pli·men·ta·ry, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑmpɫəˈmɛntɝi/
UK/kˌɒmplɪmˈɛntəɹi/
Definitions
01free of charge
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. given for free, usually by a business like a hotel or restaurant.
adj. provided without charge as a courtesy or for promotional purposes.
“The hotel provides a complimentary breakfast for all guests staying in the building.”
“The airline offered complimentary champagne to passengers in first class to compensate for the two-hour delay on the tarmac.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Pitfall
The breakfast was complementary.
The breakfast was complimentary.
Do not confuse 'complimentary' (free/praising) with 'complementary' (things that go well together).
02expressing praise
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. saying something nice or showing that you admire someone.
adj. expressing a compliment; conveying praise, admiration, or approval.
“The teacher was very complimentary about my latest essay in front of the class.”
“The critics were surprisingly complimentary regarding the director's debut film, despite its modest production budget.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'about'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03formal letter closing
C1 · Advanced Formal · Technical
adj. used to describe the formal way you end a professional letter.
adj. relating to the conventional closing of a formal letter before the signature.
“She chose a standard complimentary close like 'Yours sincerely' for her job application.”
“The business writing manual explains which complimentary closings are appropriate for different levels of professional hierarchy.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'complimentary close' or 'complimentary closing'.
Confusables
complimentary vs complementary
Complementary describes things that complete each other, while complimentary describes praise or items provided for free.
RememberComplimentary contains an 'i' for 'I like you' or 'It's free'.
Real-World Examples
“None of the songs about him were complimentary.” “Of course, the kids were given complimentary front row seats.” “An extension of Viking's 'The Thinking Person's Cruise' philosophy, each cruise includes a complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.” “Russian media led with the story and the official TV channel was complimentary about Karimov's achievements.” Etymology
From compliment (noun) + -ary. Piecewise doublet of complementary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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