Complementary vs. Complimentary: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on November 15, 2023
Complementary refers to something that completes or enhances another, while complimentary means expressing praise or being provided free of charge.
Key Differences
Complementary angles in geometry add up to 90 degrees, completing each other. Complimentary drinks in a restaurant are provided free as a courtesy to customers.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary refers to things that complete or enhance each other effectively. Complimentary means either giving praise or something that is given for free.
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Nov 15, 2023
A business strategy may include complementary products that enhance the value of the main product. Complimentary services, like free Wi-Fi in hotels, are offered at no extra cost.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary skills in a team contribute to a well-rounded skill set. Complimentary feedback, on the other hand, involves positive, praising comments.
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Nov 15, 2023
In art, complementary colors are those opposite each other on the color wheel, enhancing each other. Complimentary words are those that express admiration or a positive remark.
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Nov 15, 2023
Comparison Chart
Business Context
Products that add value to each other
Services offered for free
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary and Complimentary Definitions
Complementary
Serving to complete or enhance something.
The guitarist and drummer have complementary musical styles.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complimentary
Given free of charge.
The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast to all guests.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary
(In mathematics) forming a complementary angle or set.
These two angles are complementary, adding up to 90 degrees.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complimentary
Flattering or favorable.
The review was highly complimentary about the new restaurant.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary
Being complimentary to something else.
Her skills in writing are complementary to his in editing.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complimentary
Intended to give praise.
His complimentary speech uplifted everyone in the room.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary
Acting as a complement.
The wine was complementary to the flavors of the dish.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complimentary
Expressing praise or admiration.
She received complimentary remarks on her performance.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary
Combining in such a way to enhance or emphasize qualities of each other.
The complementary colors made the painting stand out.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complimentary
Free, as a courtesy.
Guests received complimentary access to the spa.
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Nov 15, 2023
Complementary
Forming or serving as a complement; completing
Finally acquired the complementary volumes that made a whole set.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complimentary
Expressing, using, or resembling a compliment
A concert that received complimentary reviews.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Offsetting mutual deficiencies or enhancing mutual strengths
"Creatures with complementary skills flourish in each other's presence" (Richard Dawkins).
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Oct 19, 2023
Complimentary
Given as a courtesy at no charge
Complimentary copies of the new book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
(Genetics) Of or relating to a group of genes that act in concert to produce a specific phenotype.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
(Biochemistry) Of or relating to the specific pairing of the purines and pyrimidines between strands of a DNA or an RNA molecule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complimentary
With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
(Physics) Of or relating to the hypothesis that underlying properties of entities, especially subatomic particles, may manifest themselves in mutually exclusive forms at different times, depending on the conditions of the observation, and that any physical model that describes entities in terms of one form or the other will be incomplete.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complimentary
Expressive of regard or praise; of the nature of, or containing, a compliment; as, a complimentary remark; a complimentary ticket.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Acting as a complement; making up a whole with something else.
I'll provide you with some complementary notes to help you study.
The two business partners had complementary abilities: one had excellent people skills, while the other had a head for figures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
(genetics) Of the specific pairings of the bases in DNA and RNA.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
(physics) Pertaining to pairs of properties in quantum mechanics that are inversely related to each other, such as speed and position, or energy and time. (See also Heisenberg uncertainty principle.)
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Serving to fill out or to complete; as, complementary numbers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Either one of two chromatic colors that when mixed together give white (in the case of lights) or gray (in the case of pigments);
Yellow and blue are complementaries
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Of words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other;
`male' and `female' are complementary terms
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Oct 19, 2023
Complementary
Of or relating to or suggestive of complementation;
Interchangeable electric outlets
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is complimentary used in hospitality?
In hospitality, complimentary often refers to services or items provided free of charge.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can complementary be used in a business context?
Yes, it refers to products or services that enhance or complete each other in business.
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Nov 15, 2023
How do complementary colors work?
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel and enhance each other's visual appeal.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is a complimentary remark always positive?
Yes, complimentary remarks are meant to be positive and praising.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can complementary apply to academic subjects?
Yes, subjects that enhance understanding of each other are considered complementary.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is a complimentary breakfast in hotels usually elaborate?
It varies; some hotels offer a simple continental breakfast, others more elaborate options.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is complimentary always related to being free?
Not always; it can also mean expressing praise or admiration.
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Nov 15, 2023
What is the primary meaning of complementary?
Complementary refers to things that complete or enhance each other.
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Nov 15, 2023
Are complimentary items in a business a form of marketing?
Yes, offering complimentary items can be a marketing strategy to enhance customer experience.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can complementary refer to health therapies?
Yes, therapies that enhance each other's effectiveness are termed complementary.
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Nov 15, 2023
What's the etiquette for receiving complimentary services?
It's polite to express gratitude for complimentary services, even though they are free.
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Nov 15, 2023
What’s an example of a complimentary service?
A common example is a hotel providing complimentary Wi-Fi to guests.
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Nov 15, 2023
Do complimentary goods in economics have the same meaning?
In economics, complimentary goods are those that are often used together, increasing demand for each other.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is it common to receive complimentary feedback in professional settings?
Yes, complimentary feedback is common and encouraged in most professional settings.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can people have complementary skills?
Yes, when people's skills enhance or complete each other, they are considered complementary.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can a book and its film adaptation be complementary?
Yes, if they enhance each other’s understanding or enjoyment, they are complementary.
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Nov 15, 2023
How do complementary angles work in geometry?
Complementary angles are two angles whose sum is 90 degrees.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can complementary be used in fashion?
Yes, in fashion, complementary refers to colors or styles that enhance each other.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is it common for software to be complimentary?
Yes, many companies offer complimentary versions of their software with basic features.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can colors be both complementary and complimentary?
Colors can be complementary (enhancing each other), but not complimentary (free or praising).
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
