compliment

compliment
1 noun (C)
1 a remark that expresses admiration of someone or something: "You have lovely hair", Bob told Emma, who blushed at the compliment. | Maria's used to receiving compliments on her appearance. | pay sb a compliment (=tell someone that they look nice, have done something well, etc) | take sth as a compliment (=be pleased about what someone has said about you): "James described you as a bold, brave feminist." "Oh well, I'll take that as a compliment." | shower sb with compliments (=praise someone very much) | return a compliment (=say something nice to someone after they have said something nice to you) | fish for compliments (=try to make someone say something nice about you, usually by asking them a question)
2 pay sb the compliment of doing sth to do something that shows you trust someone else and have a good opinion of them: They paid me the ultimate compliment of electing me as their representative.
3 compliments plural used to express praise, admiration or good wishes: my compliments to the chef (=used to tell someone that they cook very well): This Stilton and celery soup is delicious; my compliments to the chef! | compliments of the season (=used as a spoken or written greeting at Christmas and New Year)
4 with the compliments of.../with our compliments
a) an expression printed on a small piece of paper used by a company or organization when they send goods or information: With the compliments of J. Nocuold & Son
b) used when a person or company gives you something such as a free ticket, meal etc: Please accept these tickets with our compliments.
5 return the compliment
a) to do something to help someone after they have helped you: Thanks for helping me move the furniture; I'll try to return the compliment one day.
b) to say or do something unpleasant to someone after they have behaved badly towards you: "Gemma called you a fat liar.""Gee thanks. Remind me to return the compliment."
6 back-handed compliment BrE left-handed compliment AmE something that someone says to you which is unpleasant and pleasant at the same time: "A lot of people seem to resent you, but I like you", she said. Talk about a back-handed compliment.
-compare complement 1 2 verb (T) to say something nice to someone in order to praise them: compliment sb on sth: Bob complimented me on my new hairstyle. -compare complement 2

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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Synonyms:
, , , , , , , (by expressions of civility) / , , , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • compliment — [ kɔ̃plimɑ̃ ] n. m. • 1604; esp. complimiento, de cumplir con alguien « être poli envers qqn » 1 ♦ Paroles louangeuses que l on adresse à qqn pour le féliciter. ⇒ congratulation, félicitation. Faire compliment (vieilli), des compliments à qqn de… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • compliment — COMPLIMENT. s. mas. Paroles civiles, obligeantes, pleines d affection ou de respect, selon les diverses personnes et les diverses rencontres. Compliment sincère. Compliment affectueux. Compliment de remercîment. Compliment de félicitation, de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • compliment — COMPLIMENT. s. m. Paroles civiles, obligeantes, respectueuses, que l on dit à quelqu un selon les diverses rencontres Compliment de remerciment. compliment de conjoüissance, de condoleance. compliment bien froid, bien sec. un compliment ennuyeux …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • compliment — COMPLIMÉNT, complimente, s.n. 1. Cuvânt de laudă, de măgulire, care exprimă o atitudine prietenească, de stimă, de respect sau de consideraţie. ♢ loc. adv. Fără compliment = fără exagerare, fără gândul de a măguli; pe faţă, sincer. 2. (La pl.)… …   Dicționar Român

  • compliment — n Compliment, flattery, adulation all denote praise addressed directly to a person. A compliment is a courteous expression of commendation and may be either sincere or merely formal {in the noble dedication ... to the Duchess of Ormond we have an …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Compliment — Com pli*ment, n. [F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See {Complete}, and cf. {Complement}.] An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compliment — ► NOUN 1) an expression of praise or admiration, either in words or by an action. 2) (compliments) formal greetings. ► VERB ▪ politely congratulate or praise. ● return the compliment Cf. ↑return the compliment …   English terms dictionary

  • Compliment — Com pli*ment, v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to. [1913 Webster] Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compliment — (n.) An act, or expression of civility, usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares [Johnson], 1570s, complement, via Fr. compliment (17c.), from It. complimento expression of respect and civility, from V.L.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Compliment — Com pli*ment, v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect. [1913 Webster] I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compliment — [n] praise, flattery acclaim, acclamation, admiration, adulation, applause, appreciation, approval, blessing, bouquet*, buttering up*, cajolery, commendation, comp, confirmation, congratulations, courtesy, encomium, endorsement, eulogy, favor,… …   New thesaurus

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