complementary
/ˌkɒmplɪˈmentri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːmplɪˈmentri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkäm-plə-ˈmen-t(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)
complementary — adjective
1. describes two things or people that combine well because each supplies qualities
describes two things or people that combine well because each supplies qualities or features that the other lacks, creating a more complete or effective whole.
Leila's calm approach and Ravi's energetic style are complementary — they balance each other at work.
be complementary — describing people's contrasting qualities
The two departments provide complementary services — one handles design while the other manages production.
complementary services — business context
Yusuf's practical skills and Wen's creative ideas form a complementary partnership that their clients value.
Selling traditional noodles with a modern tea bar is a complementary strategy for the restaurant.
- matching
suggests similarity or likeness; complementary things are typically different, not alike
- compatible
focuses on coexistence without conflict, not on mutual completion
- corresponding
emphasises a systematic one-to-one alignment rather than filling gaps
- supplementary
means added extra; complementary implies mutual completion, not simple addition
- incompatible
unable to work together or exist harmoniously
- conflicting
clashing or opposing, rather than filling gaps
文法句型
be complementary to [noun/noun phrase]
用法筆記
Often used with 'to' (a skill complementary to another). Also common in business and team contexts to describe departments, roles, or people that together cover a full range of needs without unnecessary overlap.
常見錯誤
2. describes a pair of colours that produce black, white, or grey when combined in
describes a pair of colours that produce black, white, or grey when combined in the right amounts, and create a vivid contrast whenever they appear alongside each other — for example, red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple.
Green and red are complementary colours that create strong contrast when used together in design.
complementary colours + visual contrast — colour theory
The designer chose complementary shades of blue and orange for the hotel lobby.
complementary shades — artistic choice
When mixed, complementary colours like purple and yellow produce a neutral brown or grey.
Beatriz painted the sunset with complementary colours to make the clouds stand out.
文法句型
complementary colour
complementary shade
complementary to [colour name]
用法筆記
In colour theory every colour has exactly one complementary colour — the colour opposite it on the colour wheel. Artists and designers rely on complementary pairs to create visual energy and balance. This sense is almost always used attributively (before a noun).