Compliment vs. Complement

It can be difficult to remember the two
spellings and meanings of the words we
pronounce as "compliment." They’re
homophones—one is spelled with an i and
the other is spelled with an e, and even
though they sound the same, they mean
different things.

Compliment

A compliment, with an i, is a kind or
flattering remark. If a friend says he likes
your new shoes, he’s giving you a
compliment. He’s complimenting you.

Complement

A complement, with an e, is a full crew or a set, and when something complements
something else, it means they go well
together. You might talk about a picture
frame that complements a photo or the
crew complement needed to operate a ship.