WordofTheDay.US

Added 9 October 2026

complement

/ˈkɒmpləmənt/ noun

Categories: LanguageDescribing WordsUncommon Words

In Latin: complementum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about complement at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. The totality, the full amount or number which completes something. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
  2. The whole working force of a vessel.
  3. An angle which, together with a given angle, makes a right angle.

verb

  1. To complete, to bring to perfection, to make whole.
    We believe your addition will complement the team.
  2. To provide what the partner lacks and lack what the partner provides, thus forming part of a whole.
    The flavors of the pepper and garlic complement each other, giving a very rich taste in combination.
  3. To change a voltage, number, color, etc. to its complement.

noun

  1. Misspelling of compliment.
  2. Obsolete spelling of compliment.

verb

  1. Misspelling of compliment.
  2. Obsolete spelling of compliment.

Origin

From Middle English complement, from Latin complēmentum (“that which fills up or completes”), from compleō (“to fill up; to complete”) (English complete). Doublet of compliment. The verb is from the noun.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: complementarysupplementalsupplementationsupplementaritysupplementarysupplementadditionalcomplementarityadd-onincorporateadjunct

Back to today's word