Complement

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑmpləmənt/

Definitions of complement

noun the quantity or number needed to make a group complete

Example Sentences

A1 I bought a new dress that complements my shoes perfectly.

A2 Her positive attitude is a great complement to the team.

B1 The red wine was the perfect complement to the steak dinner.

B2 The artwork in the room complements the furniture beautifully.

C1 The novel's complex themes serve as a complement to its intricate plot.

C2 The orchestra's performance was a perfect complement to the stunning visuals on stage.

Examples of complement in a Sentence

formal The new furniture in the office is a perfect complement to the modern decor.

informal The new rug really complements the couch in the living room.

slang Those shoes totally complement your outfit, girl!

figurative Her kindness was a complement to his gruff demeanor.

Grammatical Forms of complement

• past tense: complemented
• plural: complements
• comparative: more complement
• superlative: most complement
• present tense: complement
• future tense: will complement
• perfect tense: have complemented
• continuous tense: is complementing
• singular: complement
• positive degree: complement
• infinitive: to complement
• gerund: complementing
• participle: complemented

Origin and Evolution of complement

First Known Use: 1300 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'complement' originated from Latin 'complementum', meaning 'that which fills up or completes'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'complement' has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings, including a full quantity or number needed to make something complete, a counterpart that completes or brings out the best in something, and a word or phrase that completes the predicate in a sentence.