Complimentary Meaning and Definition
Complimentary
Pronunciation
/kɒmplɪˈmɛtri/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Free of charge, or given without expectation of payment or reward; honorary or incidental.
Examples
- The hotel offered a complimentary breakfast to all guests.
- The company provided complimentary parking to its employees.
Synonyms
- Free
- Gratis
- Honorary
Antonyms
- Paid
- Charged
Etymology
The word “complimentary” comes from the Latin words “complimentum”, meaning “a gift of favor”, and “um”, a suffix forming nouns.
Usage Notes
When using “complimentary”, it’s important to note that the word refers to something given without payment or expectation of reward, whereas “complement” refers to something that completes or enhances something else.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the word “complimentary” has been featured in various TV shows and movies, such as “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada”, where characters use the phrase to describe a free service or gift.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word “complimentary” are “complimentary ticket”, “complimentary membership”, and “complimentary service”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “complimentary” include “free”, “gratis”, “honorary”, and “gift”.
Collocations
Common word combinations with the term “complimentary” include “complimentary ticket”, “complimentary parking”, and “complimentary breakfast”.
Frequency of Use
The word “complimentary” is commonly used in business and hospitality contexts, particularly in the tourism industry, where companies offer complimentary services to attract customers.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “complimentary” include “complitmentary”, “comlimentary”, and “complimetary”.