Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

complimentary

/ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.35 in modern English

Syllables: com-pli-men-ta-ry
IPA: /ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

24

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

5

Syllables

12

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

In the nature of a compliment.

adj

Free; provided at no charge.

adj

With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.

Example Sentences

"a complimentary remark"
"But yesterday evening late, when Lewis arrived from down town he found his supper spread, and some presents of books there, with very complimentary writings on the fly-leaves, and certain very complimentary letters, and more or less greenbacks of dignified denomination pinned to those letters and fly-leaves..."
"complimentary drinks"
"In the evenings, Ward and PJ offer guests a complimentary drink. This gesture seems to reinforce the hosts' desire to make everyone feel welcome."
"The complimentary closing is the word grouping used to bring the message or text to a close."

Etymology

From compliment (noun) + -ary. Piecewise doublet of complementary.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: compliment

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/
British English: /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/

Inflected Forms

more complimentary (comparative) most complimentary (superlative)

Derived Forms

complimentarily complimentariness noncomplimentary overcomplimentary

Synonyms

free of charge complimentary costless chargeless free gratis gratuitous

Homonyms

complementary

Antonyms

uncomplimentary

Rhymes With

documentary parliamentary supplementary rudimentary sedimentary alimentary testamentary elementary complementary neo-testamentary uncomplimentary entry

Questions

How do you pronounce complimentary?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/.
What does complimentary mean?: In the nature of a compliment.
Where does complimentary come from?: From compliment (noun) + -ary. Piecewise doublet of complementary.

How to pronounce complimentary

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “complimentary”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌkɑmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ɹi/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “complimentary”.
Repeat and practice — Say “complimentary” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.