complimentary

adjective

com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce complimentary (audio)
1
a
: expressing praise or admiration : expressing or containing a compliment
a complimentary remark
b
: favorable
the novel received complimentary reviews
2
: given free as a courtesy or favor
complimentary tickets

Examples of complimentary in a Sentence

Furtado is as complimentary about Elliott's manicure … as she is about Elliott's business acumen. David A. Keeps, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2001
In the bar that evening I at last had the Holiday Inn's complimentary drink, "Tropical Aura." V. S. Naipaul, Among the Believers, 1981
Wilbur had been feeling dizzier and dizzier through this long, complimentary speech. When he heard the crowd begin to cheer and clap again, he suddenly fainted away. E. B. White, Charlotte's Web, 1952
She made complimentary remarks about his work. They handed out complimentary brochures. The restaurant offers valet parking as a complimentary service.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As for the complimentary wine, choose between the red, a Nero d’Avola from Sicily, or a white, an Italian Sauvignon from Lodi, Calif. Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 12 Nov. 2024 Get this deal directly from Dyson to receive two free complimentary gifts with your purchase: a storage presentation case and a set of hair clips (including sectioning and wide clip styles). Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024 If only this attention were enough … The tip is a very good $25,000, and Glenn is complimentary of everyone. Emma Soren, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 Passengers can pay $8 for high-speed Wi-Fi, which is complimentary with the Breeze Easy credit card, and have the option to upgrade to extra legroom or domestic first-class seats in Breeze’s Ascent class. Stella Shon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for complimentary 

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of complimentary was in 1714

Dictionary Entries Near complimentary

Cite this Entry

“Complimentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complimentary. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

complimentary

adjective
com·​pli·​men·​ta·​ry ˌkäm-plə-ˈment-ə-rē How to pronounce complimentary (audio)
-ˈmen-trē
1
: expressing or containing a compliment
a complimentary remark
2
: given free as a courtesy or favor
complimentary tickets

More from Merriam-Webster on complimentary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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