Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun An expression of praise, admiration, or congratulation.
- noun A formal act of civility, courtesy, or respect.
- noun Good wishes; regards.
- transitive verb To pay a compliment to.
- transitive verb To show fondness, regard, or respect for by giving a gift or performing a favor.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: as, the compliments of the season; to present one's compliments.
- noun An expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: as, he paid you a high compliment within my hearing.
- noun Flattery; polite, especially insincere, praise or commendation.
- noun A present or favor bestowed; a gift.
- To pay a compliment to; flatter or gratify by expressions of approbation, admiration, esteem, or respect, or by acts implying these feelings: as, to
compliment a man on his personal appearance. - To give complimentary congratulations to; felicitate: as, to
compliment a prince on the birth of a son. - To manifest kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: as, he complimented us with tickets for the exhibition.
- To pass compliments; use ceremony or ceremonious language.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to.
- noun An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or admiration; a flattering speech or attention; a ceremonious greeting.
- noun to show one respect; to praise one in a flattering way.
- noun to offer formal courtesies to.
- noun to treat with ceremony.
- intransitive verb To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb intransitive To pay a compliment; to express a favorable opinion.
- verb Common misspelling of
complement . - noun An expression of
praise ,congratulation ,encouragement , orrespect . - noun uncountable Complimentary language;
courtesy ,flattery . - noun Common misspelling of
complement .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb say something to someone that expresses praise
- noun a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
- verb express respect or esteem for
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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These notest be called “compliments” and any good pirate knows a compliment is all but a flirt wrapped up in a pretty bow.
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Now, that is what I call a compliment worth having.
Stella Fregelius Henry Rider Haggard 1890
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"That's what I call a compliment worth having," said Byles Gridley to himself, when he got home.
Complete Project Gutenberg Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. Works Oliver Wendell Holmes 1851
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"That's what I call a compliment worth having," said Byles Gridley to himself, when he got home.
The Guardian Angel Oliver Wendell Holmes 1851
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LOL ... yeah, my favorite "compliment" is "That was pretty good", complete with the shoulder shrug.
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So all I have to do to get a compliment is not go 2 work.
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So all I have to do to get a compliment is not go 2 work.
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So all I have to do to get a compliment is not go 2 work.
First Rule of Management: First, Do No Harm | Managing Greatness 2010
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What begins as a compliment is quickly met with, "And what do I look like most days?"
LENNDEVOURS: 2009
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I also received that compliment from a little girl.
Comments
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