complimentary

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word complimentary. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word complimentary, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say complimentary in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word complimentary you have here. The definition of the word complimentary will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofcomplimentary, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

compliment +‎ -ary

Pronunciation

Adjective

complimentary (comparative more complimentary, superlative most complimentary)

  1. In the nature of a compliment.
    Antonym: uncomplimentary
    a complimentary remark
    • 1877 August 25, Mark Twain, The Letters of Mark Twain, volume 3,2004, page 56:
      But yesterday evening late, when Lewis arrived from down town he found his supper spread, and some presents of books there, with very complimentary writings on the fly-leaves, and certain very complimentary letters, and more or less greenbacks of dignified denomination pinned to those letters and fly-leaves...
  2. Free; provided at no charge.
    Synonyms: free of charge; see also Thesaurus:gratis
    complimentary drinks
    • 2005, Vivien Lougheed, Belize Pocket Adventures, page 65:
      In the evenings, Ward and PJ offer guests a complimentary drink. This gesture seems to reinforce the hosts' desire to make everyone feel welcome.
  3. With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.
    • 2003, Richard H. Beatty, The Perfect Cover Letter:
      The complimentary closing is the word grouping used to bring the message or text to a close.

Usage notes

  • Complimentary and its homophone complementary are frequently confused and misused in place of one another.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia