Is it a complimentary gift or a complementary gift?1
Were you paid a compliment or a complement?2
Do peanut butter and jelly compliment or complement each other?3
To compliment (verb form) is to give “an expression of esteem, respect, affection, or admiration.” A compliment (the noun form) is the expression itself.
To complement (verb form) is to “fill up, complete, or make perfect,” and a complement (the noun form) is the object or person that fills up, completes, or makes perfect.
Answers:
1. complimentary
2. compliment
3. complement
mmmmmmmmm no tiene sentido ya q no se vasan a lo q necesito cortesias en un hotel de otro modo
Example 1. I don’t agree. For example you might book a hotel room and the price might include “complementary flowers and chocolates”
i.e. complementary means that the flowers are included in the price, they are part of the complement of the package . the complimentary gift isn’t a compliment its a complement
this mistake drives me nuts and I see it everywhere
Jason: Complimentary can mean both “expressing praise” or “given free as a courtesy or favor.” Although flowers and chocolates might complement (as in “complete”) a hotel room package, the message that is most likely being communicated is that these items are included as a courtesy (at no extra charge), hence the use of complimentary.
I hope Jason Smether came back to read your reply. Otherwise he will continue to see this ‘mistake’ everywhere (mainly because it isn’t a mistake!)
Good point, Tom.
ps sorry I left out some words above, I meant to “…if the gift was a complement to something already received…”
Regarding example 1. (above) ‘complementary’ could be used if the gift was a complement already received or possessed, eg “The socks were a complementary gift to the shoes she already owned”