compliment

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

com·pli·ment [compliment compliments complimented complimenting] noun, verb
noun BrE [ˈkɒmplɪmənt] ; NAmE [ˈkɑːmplɪmənt]
1. countable a remark that expresses praise or admiration of sb
•to pay sb a compliment (= to praise them for sth)
•‘You understand the problem because you're so much older.’ ‘I'll take that as a compliment!’
•It's a great compliment to be asked to do the job.
•to return the compliment (= to treat sb in the same way as they have treated you)
2. complimentsplural (formal)polite words or good wishes, especially when used to express praise and admiration
•My compliments to the chef!
• (BrE)Compliments of the season! (= for Christmas or the New Year)
•Please accept these flowers with the compliments of (= as a gift from) the manager.
see backhanded compliment at ↑backhanded

Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from French compliment (noun), complimenter (verb), from Italian complimento ‘fulfilment of the requirements of courtesy’, from Latin complementum ‘completion, fulfilment’ (reflected in the earlier English spelling complement, gradually replaced by the French form between 1655 and 1715).

Example Bank:
•He returned her compliment by saying how well she looked.
•I'll take that as a compliment.
•If Mark's wearing a suit, that'll be a compliment to you!
•In a backhanded compliment she said he looked very good for his age.
•Please don't misunderstand me— I meant it as a compliment.
•Please give my compliments to your wife.
•She acknowledged their compliments with a big smile.
•She received several compliments on her speech.
•She's always fishing for compliments about her looks.
•The only enclosure was a formal compliments slip from the accounts department.
•To listen to someone is the greatest compliment you can pay.
•my compliments to the chef
•‘You understand the problem because you're so much older.’ ‘I'll take that as a compliment!’
•It's a great compliment to be asked to do the job.
•She always paid me compliments on my hair and my clothes.

 
verb BrE [ˈkɒmplɪment] ; NAmE [ˈkɑːmplɪment] ~ sb (on sth)
to tell sb that you like or admire sth they have done, their appearance, etc
•She complimented him on his excellent German.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from French compliment (noun), complimenter (verb), from Italian complimento ‘fulfilment of the requirements of courtesy’, from Latin complementum ‘completion, fulfilment’ (reflected in the earlier English spelling complement, gradually replaced by the French form between 1655 and 1715).

Which Word?:
compliment / complement
These words have similar spellings but completely different meanings. If you compliment someone, you say something very nice to them: ▪ She complimented me on my English. If one thing complements another, the two things work or look better because they are together: ▪ The different flavours complement each other perfectly.
The adjectives are also often confused. Complimentary: ▪ She made some very complimentary remarks about my English. It can also mean ‘free’: ▪ There was a complimentary basket of fruit in our room. Complementary: ▪ The team members have different but complementary skills.