Compliment vs Complement

A compliment is a positive remark or expression of praise.

  • She gave me a lovely compliment.
  • He complimented her on her work.
  • Thank you for the compliment.

A complement is something that completes or goes well with something else.

  • The sauce complements the meal.
  • Those shoes complement your outfit.
  • The two colours complement each other.

Easy way to remember

Compliment = praise.
Complement = complete or go well together.