complimentary
gb/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi/ us/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi/
B1
English
~ 9500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
expressing praise or admiration
Saying nice things to show you like or respect someone or something.
Usage pattern:
be complimentary about [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "complimentary" with "complementary." "Complimentary" means saying something nice or giving something for free, while "complementary" means making something else better or going well together (for example, "complementary colors").
Synonyms
flattering (Often suggests praise that may be exaggerated or not completely sincere, while "complimentary" can be more neutral or genuinely positive.)
Antonyms
critical (Describes speech that finds faults instead of giving praise, the opposite of being complimentary.)
Collocations
complimentary remarks
|highly complimentary
|complimentary comments
|complimentary about
|overly complimentary
|a complimentary tone
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was very complimentary about your presentation at the conference.
- The reviews for his new book have been overwhelmingly complimentary.
- He made several complimentary remarks about her leadership skills.
- The manager was not exactly complimentary when he spoke about their performance.
- Guests were pleasantly surprised by the complimentary comments in the host’s introduction.
Learner examples
- My teacher was complimentary about my essay.
- Her boss was very complimentary after the big meeting.
- He is always complimentary when he talks about his team.
- The coach was not complimentary about our work today.
- People were complimentary about the food at the party.
adjective
B1
property
2
given free as a courtesy
Given to you for free, as a gift or extra service.
Usage pattern:
complimentary [service/item]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "complimentary" always means polite or praising, and miss the "free of charge" meaning in hotel or travel contexts. They also often confuse "complimentary" (free or praising) with "complementary" (going well together), especially in writing.
Synonyms
free ("Free" is more general; "complimentary" is often used in business, hotels, and events to sound more polite or professional.)
Antonyms
paid (Describes goods or services that require money, the opposite of something complimentary.)
Collocations
complimentary breakfast
|complimentary ticket
|complimentary copy
|complimentary shuttle
|complimentary drinks
|complimentary access
Themes
business
|travel
|services
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast for all guests.
- All conference attendees received a complimentary ticket to the opening concert.
- Subscribers get complimentary access to premium online articles.
- The company sent me a complimentary copy of the book to review.
- There is a complimentary shuttle service running between the airport and the hotel.
Learner examples
- Our room came with a complimentary breakfast.
- The museum gave us complimentary tickets for the show.
- I got a complimentary copy of the magazine.
- The airport has a complimentary bus to the hotel.
- Drinks are complimentary on this flight.
Grammar
Dictionary form
complimentary
IPA
GB/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi/
US/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi/
Syllables & stress
com - pli - ment - ary (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: complimentary
Word family
Core family
compliment
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
uncomplimentary
adjective
Expressions
be complimentary about
1/bˈi kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
speak in a praising way
To say nice and positive things about someone or something.
Examples
- The coach was very complimentary about her performance.
- Customers have been highly complimentary about the new service.
complimentary breakfast
1/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi bɹˈɛkfəst/
fixed phrase
hotel breakfast at no extra cost
A breakfast that a hotel or similar place gives guests for free, included with the room.
Examples
- The complimentary breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m. in the dining room.
- We chose this hotel because it offers a complimentary breakfast for families.
complimentary close
1/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi klˈoʊs/
fixed phrase
formal
polite ending of a formal letter
The polite words you write at the end of a formal letter, just before your name, such as "Sincerely" or "Yours faithfully."
Examples
- In business letters, "Sincerely" is a very common complimentary close.
- Choose a suitable complimentary close depending on how well you know the reader.
complimentary copy
1/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi kˈɑpi/
fixed phrase
free copy of a book or magazine
A free copy of a book, magazine, or other product that is given to you, often for review or as a gift.
Examples
- Reviewers will receive a complimentary copy of the book before its release.
- Subscribers get a complimentary copy of our special issue.
complimentary ticket
1/kˌɑmpləmˈɛntɚi tˈɪkɪt/
fixed phrase
free ticket for an event
A free ticket that lets you enter a show, game, or event without paying.
Examples
- Employees received complimentary tickets to the company’s annual concert.
- He gave me a complimentary ticket to the theater premiere.