compliment
gb/kˈɑmpləmɛnt/ us/kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
B1
English
~ 4700
dicséret, bók, megdicsér, bókot mond
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to give [someone] a compliment
She received many compliments on her presentation.
Sok dicséretet kapott az előadásáért.
He paid me a compliment about my cooking.
Bókot mondott a főztömre.
Your dress is lovely—that’s a genuine compliment.
The teacher gave him a compliment for his hard work.
It’s polite to return a compliment when you get one.
Learner examples
She gave me a compliment about my hair.
Bókot mondott a hajamra.
I got a nice compliment from my friend.
Kedves bókot kaptam egy barátomtól.
He said my English was good. That was a compliment.
I like giving compliments to people.
She smiled when she heard the compliment.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'compliment' with 'complement', which means something that completes or goes well with something else.
Meaning
A polite expression of praise
Collocations
pay a compliment
|receive a compliment
|accept a compliment
|give a compliment
|return a compliment
Synonyms
praise (More general approval or admiration, not always in a short remark.)
|
flattery (Praise that may be exaggerated or insincere.)
Antonyms
insult (A remark intended to offend or hurt.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A nice thing you say to show you like or admire someone or something.
A polite or friendly statement that shows praise or admiration for someone or something.
VERB
B1
2
megdicsér
A2
bókot mond
B1
Usage pattern:
to compliment [someone] on [something]
I complimented her on her excellent choice of words.
Megdicsértem a kiváló szóválasztásáért.
He often compliments his team on their achievements.
Gyakran megdicséri a csapatát az eredményeikért.
They complimented the chef on the delicious meal.
She complimented me on my new haircut.
The manager complimented them for their hard work.
Learner examples
I complimented my friend on her new shoes.
Megdicsértem a barátnőmet az új cipőjéért.
He complimented me on my drawing.
Megdicsért a rajzomért.
She likes to compliment people when they do well.
I will compliment him on his speech.
They complimented the singer after the show.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'on' after 'compliment' when talking about the specific thing being praised.
Meaning
To express praise or admiration
Collocations
compliment someone on their work
|compliment someone on their appearance
|compliment sincerely
Synonyms
praise (To express approval, not necessarily in a short remark.)
|
commend (More formal than 'compliment', often for official recognition.)
Antonyms
criticize (To point out faults instead of giving praise.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say something nice to show you like or admire someone or something.
To politely or kindly say something to show that you admire or approve of someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compliment
IPA
GB/kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
US/kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
Syllables & stress
com - pli - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: compliment
- Plural: compliments
Verb
- Base: compliment
- 3rd Person Singular: compliments
- Present Participle: complimenting
- Past: complimented
Word family
Forms
compliments
noun
complimenting
verb
complimented
verb
Core family
complimentary
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncomplimentary
adjective
Expressions
pay someone a compliment
1/pˈeɪ sˈʌmwˌʌn ə kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
fixed phrase
To give praise to someone
To say something nice to someone to show you like or admire them.
Examples
- She paid me a compliment on my singing.
- It’s always nice to pay someone a compliment when they’ve done well.
return the compliment
1/ɹɪtˈɚn ðə kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
fixed phrase
Give praise in response to praise received
To say something nice back to someone who said something nice to you first.
Examples
- She returned the compliment by praising his artwork.
- He thanked her and returned the compliment.
take it as a compliment
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪt ˈæz ə kˈɑmpləmɛnt/
fixed phrase
View a remark as praise
To understand what someone says as something nice, even if it might not sound that way at first.
Examples
- If they call you unique, take it as a compliment.
- I didn’t mean to offend you—please take it as a compliment.