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Definition of complementary adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

  

complementary

 adjective
adjective
NAmE//ˌkɑmpləˈmɛntri//
 
, NAmE//ˌkɑmpləˈmɛntəri//
 
complementary (to something)
 
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two people or things that are complementary are different but together form a useful or attractive combination of skills, qualities, or physical features The school's approach must be complementary to that of the parents. Which Word?compliment / complement
  • These words have similar spellings but completely different meanings. If you compliment someone, you say something very nice to them:She complimented me on my English.If one thing complements another, the two things work or look better because they are together:The different flavors complement each other perfectly.
  • The adjectives are also often confused. Complimentary:She made some very complimentary remarks about my English.It can also mean “free”:There was a complimentary basket of fruit in our room.Complementary:The team members have different but complementary skills.
See complementary in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: complementary

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