complimentary

complimentary — adjective

1. describing someone or something with positive words that show you think highly o

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing someone or something with positive words that show you think highly of them or their work

Example

The manager made several complimentary remarks about Esteban's presentation.

complimentary remarks about [something]

Lotte received a complimentary email from a customer who appreciated her quick response.

Common collocations
  • complimentary remarks
  • complimentary about
  • highly complimentary
  • complimentary comments
  • complimentary speech
Synonyms
  • flattering

    suggests the praise may exaggerate slightly to please the recipient; less formal

  • admiring

    focuses on looking up to someone's qualities rather than evaluating their work

  • appreciative

    emphasises gratitude alongside the praise

  • laudatory

    very formal; used mainly in written reviews or official statements

Antonyms
  • critical

    focuses on faults rather than good qualities

  • disparaging

    expresses a low opinion of someone or something

Grammar Patterns

complimentary + noun (attributive)

be + complimentary + about + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used in professional or public contexts such as reviews, feedback forms, and award ceremonies. When followed by 'about', it introduces the person or thing being praised.

Common Mistakes

The teacher wrote a complementary note on my essay.
The teacher wrote a complimentary note on my essay.
'Complimentary' means praising; 'complementary' means completing or matching.

2. offered to customers without payment, typically by a company to show goodwill or

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

offered to customers without payment, typically by a company to show goodwill or encourage future business

Example

All hotel guests receive a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning.

collocation: complimentary breakfast

The airline gave Yan a complimentary upgrade to business class for his long flight.

Common collocations
  • complimentary breakfast
  • complimentary ticket
  • complimentary copy
  • complimentary upgrade
  • complimentary gift
  • complimentary membership
Synonyms
  • free

    more general and common; does not carry the connotation of a courtesy or gift

  • compliments of

    a set phrase used to indicate who is providing the free item (e.g., 'dinner with the compliments of the chef')

  • on the house

    informal; used specifically for free drinks or food at bars and restaurants

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

complimentary + noun (ticket / copy / upgrade / breakfast / gift)

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive position). It is common in tourism, hospitality, publishing, and event contexts. Unlike 'free', 'complimentary' strongly implies the item is a gesture of goodwill rather than a general price of zero.

Common Mistakes

The meal was complimentary because the restaurant has no prices.
The meal was complimentary because the manager wanted to thank us for waiting.
'Complimentary' implies a deliberate gift, not just a zero price.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words express a positive evaluation, but they differ in formality and connotation. 'Complimentary' is the most neutral and versatile — it simply means saying something good about someone or something, whether in conversation or in writing. 'Flattering' carries a hint of exaggeration or pleasing intent; a flattering remark may not be entirely sincere. 'Appreciative' emphasises gratitude and recognition of effort rather than just praise — you say someone is appreciative when they thank you warmly for your help. 'Laudatory' is the most formal and is rarely used in speech; it belongs in written reviews, official citations, and press releases. For example: the director was complimentary about the team's work at the meeting; the CEO sent a laudatory memo to all staff praising the project's success.

complimentary ↗flattering ↗appreciativelaudatory

Common collocations

Nouns

  • complimentary remarks
  • complimentary comments
  • complimentary review
  • complimentary speech
  • complimentary letter
  • complimentary breakfast
  • complimentary ticket
  • complimentary copy
  • complimentary upgrade
  • complimentary gift
  • complimentary membership
  • complimentary admission
  • complimentary sample

Adverbs

  • highly complimentary
  • extremely complimentary
  • very complimentary

Phrases

  • complimentary in one's praise
  • with complimentary tickets
  • a complimentary copy of

Prepositions

  • complimentary about
  • complimentary of

Etymology

LatinSpanishItalianFrenchEnglish

From 'compliment' (a polite expression of praise or admiration), borrowed from French 'compliment', which came via Italian 'complimento' from Spanish 'cumplimiento' (fulfillment, courtesy). The Spanish word traces further back to Latin 'complēre', meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete'. The sense of 'given free' arose in the 1800s, when businesses would 'compliment' a customer by offering a product or service at no charge as a gesture of goodwill.