complement

complement — verb

1. when one thing goes with another so well that each shows its finest qualities, a

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

when one thing goes with another so well that each shows its finest qualities, and together they create a more satisfying result

Example

The navy scarf beautifully complements Priya's grey winter coat.

adverb beautifully between verb and object

A crisp green salad complements a heavy pasta dish perfectly.

Common collocations
  • complement each other
  • complement one another
  • complement [noun] perfectly
  • complement [noun] beautifully
Synonyms
  • supplement

    adds what is missing rather than harmonising with what exists

  • enhance

    improves quality in a general way, not necessarily through matching

  • complete

    focuses on making something whole rather than on harmony between parts

Antonyms
  • clash

    when colours, styles, or personalities do not go together at all

  • contrast

    emphasises difference rather than harmonious combination

Grammar Patterns

complement + noun phrase

Usage Note

Frequently confused with 'compliment' (with an i), which means to praise. The verb complement always takes a direct object — you complement one thing with another. Subject is usually a concrete item (food, colour, clothing, design) or an abstract quality (personality, skill).

Common Mistakes

The red wine compliments the steak well.
The red wine complements the steak well.
Compliment (with i) means to say something nice; complement (with e) means to go well together.
The two colours are complementing each other perfectly.
The two colours complement each other perfectly.
Complement is not usually used in progressive (be + -ing) form for this sense.

complement — noun

Word family

  • complementary
    adjectiveB2
  • complementarity
    nounC1
  • complemented
    adjectiveB2
  • complementing
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words involve making something better or fuller, but the relationship differs. 'Supplement' means adding something extra to make up for a shortage — you supplement your income with freelance work, not complement it. 'Enhance' is broader: anything that improves quality enhances it (lighting enhances a room, software enhances productivity), without implying a matching relationship. 'Complete' focuses on finishing or making whole — the final chapter completes a story. 'Complement' is the most specific: it describes two things that bring out the best in each other through harmonious combination. For example, 'The wine complemented the cheese' means they tasted better together; 'The water supplemented the meal' means it filled a need for liquid; 'The candle enhanced the atmosphere' means it improved the mood generally.

supplementenhancecomplete

Common collocations

Nouns

  • each other
  • one another
  • flavours
  • colours
  • styles
  • personalities

Adverbs

  • perfectly
  • beautifully
  • nicely
  • well
  • ideally
  • wonderfully

Phrases

  • act as a complement to
  • serve as a complement to
  • be the perfect complement to

Prepositions

  • to
  • of

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'complementum' meaning 'that which fills up or completes,' formed from 'complēre' (to fill up) — itself from 'com-' (completely) + 'plēre' (to fill). The word entered Middle English through Old French and has carried the core idea of 'completing' since the 14th century.