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COMPLIMENTARY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Conveying or resembling a compliment
Example:
a complimentary remark
Classified under:
Similar:
encomiastic; eulogistic; panegyric; panegyrical (formally expressing praise)
laudatory; praiseful; praising (full of or giving praise)
Also:
favorable; favourable (encouraging or approving or pleasing)
Antonym:
uncomplimentary (tending to (or intended to) detract or disparage)
Derivation:
compliment (a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Costing nothing
Example:
free admission
Synonyms:
complimentary; costless; free; gratis; gratuitous
Classified under:
Similar:
unpaid (not paid)
Context examples:
There was also a postscript to the effect that though The Billow carried no free-list, it took great pleasure in sending him a complimentary subscription for the ensuing year.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
"A characteristic, but not exactly complimentary, congratulation," returned Laurie, still in an abject attitude, but beaming with satisfaction.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Mr. Rushworth was eager to assure her ladyship of his acquiescence, and tried to make out something complimentary; but, between his submission to her taste, and his having always intended the same himself, with the superadded objects of professing attention to the comfort of ladies in general, and of insinuating that there was one only whom he was anxious to please, he grew puzzled, and Edmund was glad to put an end to his speech by a proposal of wine.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
She read it to him, just as he liked to have any thing read, slowly and distinctly, and two or three times over, with explanations of every part as she proceeded—and he was very much pleased, and, as she had foreseen, especially struck with the complimentary conclusion.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
How HE wears! and his wig too, for he's had it these ten years—and he went on at that rate in the complimentary line, that I began to think I should be obliged to ring the bell.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
