Complement
noun
Something that completes or goes well with something.
Red wine is a good complement to steak.
Often appears as...
- colour complement
- perfect complement
noun
A number or amount needed to make something complete.
In a right angle triangle, the complement of an angle is 90 degrees minus that angle.
Often appears as...
- complement of an angle
- complement set
Usage tips
Academic
noun
To complement something means to add to, enhance, or improve it by adding something that the it lacks or needs.
Her fashion-conscious daughter often adds a designer handbag to complement her outfit.
Often appears as...
- complement each other
- complement the look
verb
To make something complete or perfect.
This scarf really complements your dress.
Often appears as...
- complement the decor
- complement the meal
noun
A thing or things that complete or go well with something else by adding to or enhancing its quality or character.
The sauce was a fine complement to the meat.
Often appears as...
- dinner complement
- accessory complement
verb
To add to or enhance something in a way that improves it; complete.
The musicians complement each other's styles.
Often appears as...
- complement the team
- complement the ensemble
noun
Something that completes or goes well with something.
Red wine is a good complement to steak.
Often appears as...
- colour complement
- perfect complement
noun
A number or amount needed to make something complete.
In a right angle triangle, the complement of an angle is 90 degrees minus that angle.
Often appears as...
- complement of an angle
- complement set
Usage tips
Academic
noun
To complement something means to add to, enhance, or improve it by adding something that the it lacks or needs.
Her fashion-conscious daughter often adds a designer handbag to complement her outfit.
Often appears as...
- complement each other
- complement the look
verb
To make something complete or perfect.
This scarf really complements your dress.
Often appears as...
- complement the decor
- complement the meal
noun
A thing or things that complete or go well with something else by adding to or enhancing its quality or character.
The sauce was a fine complement to the meat.
Often appears as...
- dinner complement
- accessory complement
verb
To add to or enhance something in a way that improves it; complete.
The musicians complement each other's styles.
Often appears as...
- complement the team
- complement the ensemble
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/2Pairing Items
Consider what items work well together to enhance each other when you use 'complement'.
Her elegant gloves were the perfect complement to her evening gown.
Pro Tip 2/2Complete a Set
Use 'complement' to describe items that combine to form a full or complete set.
His skill set is an ideal complement to the team.
Pro Tip 1/2Pairing Items
Consider what items work well together to enhance each other when you use 'complement'.
Her elegant gloves were the perfect complement to her evening gown.
Pro Tip 2/2Complete a Set
Use 'complement' to describe items that combine to form a full or complete set.
His skill set is an ideal complement to the team.
Pro Tip 1/2Pairing Items
Consider what items work well together to enhance each other when you use 'complement'.
Her elegant gloves were the perfect complement to her evening gown.
Pro Tip 2/2Complete a Set
Use 'complement' to describe items that combine to form a full or complete set.
His skill set is an ideal complement to the team.
Compare with
accompanyadditioncorrespondencecorrespondentdecorateenhanceenrichsupplement
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Video examples
What is depression? -...
it takes the average person suffering with a mental illness over ten years to ask for help. But there are very effective treatments. Medications and therapy complement each other to boost brain chemicals. In extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy, which is like a controlled seizure in the patient's brain,
Video examples
Choosing Exciting...
made good but natural and true drama the two characters stories also complement each other I think really well they're both rites of passage stories really young animals making their first stab at independence and finding out how tough it is to live in an adult world and I
Video examples
3 myths about the future...
but they don't just substitute for human beings. They also complement them in other tasks, making that work more valuable and more important. Sometimes they complement human beings directly, making them more productive or more efficient at a particular task.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 276 PIPE...
out that it really is quite spectacular so very fortunate to be able to kind of bring these two units it complements juma so nicely I think in many respects because of its kind of open nature it's pretty to rich it's it's predators that
Video examples
Niall Ferguson: The 6...
But this complement may be much inferior to what, with other laws and institutions, the nature of its soil, climate, and situation might admit of." That is so right and so cool. And he said it such a long time ago.
Video examples
How to save a language...
Assimilation was a complement to genocide. Seven thousand languages are alive today, but few are recognized by their own governments or supported online. So for people from the vast majority of cultures,
Video examples
Why people fall for...
But perhaps the factor that most contributed to this misconception was its narrative simplicity. In many ways, the map complements our desire for clear stories about the world around us—
Video examples
How your emotions change...
But this is the key these manipulations, we now understand, must be complemented by attention to the emotional life that the heart, for thousands of years, was believed to contain.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
has been with respect to ammunition the troops came but the ammunition didn't they came with some ammunition not the full complement that they should have
Video examples
The First Ladies of...
simple I complement the president's efforts on my husband's efforts and because of a unique position of being first ladies we can influence both the
Video examples
What is depression? -...
it takes the average person suffering with a mental illness over ten years to ask for help. But there are very effective treatments. Medications and therapy complement each other to boost brain chemicals. In extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy, which is like a controlled seizure in the patient's brain,
Video examples
Choosing Exciting...
made good but natural and true drama the two characters stories also complement each other I think really well they're both rites of passage stories really young animals making their first stab at independence and finding out how tough it is to live in an adult world and I
Video examples
3 myths about the future...
but they don't just substitute for human beings. They also complement them in other tasks, making that work more valuable and more important. Sometimes they complement human beings directly, making them more productive or more efficient at a particular task.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 276 PIPE...
out that it really is quite spectacular so very fortunate to be able to kind of bring these two units it complements juma so nicely I think in many respects because of its kind of open nature it's pretty to rich it's it's predators that
Video examples
Niall Ferguson: The 6...
But this complement may be much inferior to what, with other laws and institutions, the nature of its soil, climate, and situation might admit of." That is so right and so cool. And he said it such a long time ago.
Video examples
How to save a language...
Assimilation was a complement to genocide. Seven thousand languages are alive today, but few are recognized by their own governments or supported online. So for people from the vast majority of cultures,
Video examples
Why people fall for...
But perhaps the factor that most contributed to this misconception was its narrative simplicity. In many ways, the map complements our desire for clear stories about the world around us—
Video examples
How your emotions change...
But this is the key these manipulations, we now understand, must be complemented by attention to the emotional life that the heart, for thousands of years, was believed to contain.
Video examples
LA92 Panel - Live PIPE...
has been with respect to ammunition the troops came but the ammunition didn't they came with some ammunition not the full complement that they should have
Video examples
The First Ladies of...
simple I complement the president's efforts on my husband's efforts and because of a unique position of being first ladies we can influence both the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Jakaya Kikwete
Tanzanian Politician
We design our own programmes; we take leadership. Of course the donors come in to support us, to complement our efforts. Our responsibility to the donors is about accountability: about how we use that money. If somebody gives you his money, definitely he will be interested in knowing how you spend the money.
Quote examples
Karrueche Tran
American Actress
I see a lot of girls whose concealer is way too light, or their foundation is way too dark, or I can see when their neck and face color don't match. I think it's very important to find the right foundation and concealers and the right brands that really complement your skin.
Quote examples
J. K. Simmons
American Actor
The best complement I ever got from the public or producers or directors is that I just totally blend in and become the character and they don't notice me and that the play happens or the movie happens or the TV show happens.
Quote examples
James Heckman
American Economist
Cognitive and character skills work together as dynamic complements; they are inseparable. Skills beget skills. More motivated children learn more. Those who are more informed usually make wiser decisions.
Quote examples
Gordie Howe
Canadian Athlete
I still believe it is important that children have a chance to play other sports because they all offer learning experiences. Soccer is a growing sport and would be a good complement to hockey.
Quote examples
Gary Herbert
American Politician
While technology and assessment can help complement the important work of our teachers, I worry that we are spending too much of our time testing.
Quote examples
Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Clergyman
Science and mindfulness complement each other in helping people to eat well and maintain their health and well-being.
Quote examples
Frances Tiafoe
American Athlete
From the ground, I'm pretty solid from both sides. My form really helps me a lot and my backend complements it.
Quote examples
Kailash Kher
Indian Musician
A right balance between music and lyrics is important. Music complements lyrics.
Quote examples
Eric Metaxas
American Author
Men and women are complements to each other, physically and otherwise.
Quote examples
Jakaya Kikwete
Tanzanian Politician
We design our own programmes; we take leadership. Of course the donors come in to support us, to complement our efforts. Our responsibility to the donors is about accountability: about how we use that money. If somebody gives you his money, definitely he will be interested in knowing how you spend the money.
Quote examples
Karrueche Tran
American Actress
I see a lot of girls whose concealer is way too light, or their foundation is way too dark, or I can see when their neck and face color don't match. I think it's very important to find the right foundation and concealers and the right brands that really complement your skin.
Quote examples
J. K. Simmons
American Actor
The best complement I ever got from the public or producers or directors is that I just totally blend in and become the character and they don't notice me and that the play happens or the movie happens or the TV show happens.
Quote examples
James Heckman
American Economist
Cognitive and character skills work together as dynamic complements; they are inseparable. Skills beget skills. More motivated children learn more. Those who are more informed usually make wiser decisions.
Quote examples
Gordie Howe
Canadian Athlete
I still believe it is important that children have a chance to play other sports because they all offer learning experiences. Soccer is a growing sport and would be a good complement to hockey.
Quote examples
Gary Herbert
American Politician
While technology and assessment can help complement the important work of our teachers, I worry that we are spending too much of our time testing.
Quote examples
Thich Nhat Hanh
Vietnamese Clergyman
Science and mindfulness complement each other in helping people to eat well and maintain their health and well-being.
Quote examples
Frances Tiafoe
American Athlete
From the ground, I'm pretty solid from both sides. My form really helps me a lot and my backend complements it.
Quote examples
Kailash Kher
Indian Musician
A right balance between music and lyrics is important. Music complements lyrics.
Quote examples
Eric Metaxas
American Author
Men and women are complements to each other, physically and otherwise.
Example 1 of 10
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