compliments
compliments — noun
1. A spoken or written comment that shows you admire or approve of someone's qualit
A spoken or written comment that shows you admire or approve of someone's qualities, work, or actions.
Mei-Lin received several compliments on her presentation at the annual sales conference.
receive compliments on [something]
When the chef came out, the customers paid her a compliment by ordering the same dish again.
pay [somebody] a compliment
A simple compliment from the manager about the team's hard work lifted everyone's spirits.
Luis blushed at the unexpected compliment about his Cantonese pronunciation from a native speaker.
Mr. Kwame complimented Sari's report on ancient Egypt, and she accepted the praise with a shy smile.
用法筆記
This noun is countable — you can give someone a compliment, pay someone a compliment, or receive a compliment. The singular form compliment refers to one such remark.
常見錯誤
2. Something you do — rather than say — that shows respect, admiration, or recognit
Something you do — rather than say — that shows respect, admiration, or recognition toward another person or group.
The ambassador's visit was a great compliment to the small research centre in the countryside.
a compliment to [somebody/something]
Yuki considered it the highest compliment when her professor asked her to co-author the journal article.
highest compliment
The mayor intended her visit to the school as a compliment to the local teachers and families.
For Dr. Okafor, having her former students return to teach at the same university was the greatest compliment.
- honour
stronger; suggests a formal privilege or distinction
- tribute
implies a deliberate act of respect, often public
- recognition
focuses on acknowledging someone's value or achievement
- disrespect
lack of respect or regard
- snub
an intentional failure to show respect or attention
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'a compliment to [someone/something]' to describe an action that honours its recipient. This sense is more formal than sense 1 and describes deeds rather than spoken words.
常見錯誤
3. A polite message of good wishes or friendly greetings, often sent in a letter, c
A polite message of good wishes or friendly greetings, often sent in a letter, card, or email at special occasions.
We send our warmest compliments to the newlyweds on this joyful day.
send compliments to [somebody]
Grandma always closed her postcards with the same line: 'With love and compliments, Grandma.'
Please extend my compliments to your parents for hosting such a wonderful dinner party.
The invitation ended with the polite phrase 'With the compliments of the committee.'
- regards
slightly more neutral; used in closing a message without the warmth of 'compliments'
- greetings
more general; can be used in any situation where you convey friendly sentiment
- best wishes
warmer and more personal; often used in cards and letters
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form ('compliments', not 'compliment') when sending greetings. Common closing formulas include 'With compliments' and 'Compliments of the season.'
常見錯誤
4. Used with the word 'with' to indicate that something is provided to a person wit
Used with the word 'with' to indicate that something is provided to a person without charge, usually as a courtesy from a business or organisation.
The hotel left a fruit basket in the room with the manager's compliments.
with [somebody]'s compliments
A complimentary bottle of wine arrived at the table with the chef's compliments.
with the chef's compliments
The leaflet inside the bag reads: 'This sample is offered with the compliments of the company.'
Each guest received a copy of the museum guidebook with the curator's compliments.
- complimentary
adjective form; describes the item that is given free, e.g. 'complimentary tickets'
- free of charge
more direct and less formal; simply states no payment is needed
- paid for
the opposite of receiving something free — the recipient bears the cost
文法句型
with + possessive + compliments
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'with [someone's] compliments' or 'with the compliments of [someone].' It is not used outside this pattern. Typically found on printed notes, gift tags, or menus in upmarket establishments.
常見錯誤
compliments — verb
1. To tell someone that you like or admire something about them — for example, thei
To tell someone that you like or admire something about them — for example, their appearance, a recent achievement, or a skill they have shown.
Theo complimented his younger sister on the clever way she solved the maths puzzle.
compliment [somebody] on [something]
Aunt Rosa always compliments the children when they help set the table without being asked.
The gallery director complimented the artist on the powerful colours in her new collection.
Sophia complimented her friend's haircut the moment she walked through the door.
Visitors often compliment the gardener for keeping the park so neat and colourful.
文法句型
compliment + somebody + on + something
compliment + somebody + for + something
用法筆記
The most common pattern is 'compliment somebody on something.' 'Compliment somebody for something' is also possible but slightly less frequent. The object receiving the compliment must be a person, not a thing — you compliment the chef (not the meal), even if you mean the food.