What does complement mean?

Definitions for complement
ˈkɒm plə mənt; -ˌmɛntcom·ple·ment

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word complement.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. complementnoun

    a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction

  2. complementnoun

    a complete number or quantity

    "a full complement"

  3. complement, full complementnoun

    number needed to make up a whole force

    "a full complement of workers"

  4. complement, accompanimentnoun

    something added to complete or embellish or make perfect

    "a fine wine is a perfect complement to the dinner"; "wild rice was served as an accompaniment to the main dish"

  5. complementnoun

    one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response

  6. complementverb

    either of two parts that mutually complete each other

  7. complementverb

    make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to

    "I need some pepper to complement the sweet touch in the soup"

Wiktionary

  1. complementnoun

    Something (or someone) that completes; the consummation.

  2. complementnoun

    The act of completing something, or the fact of being complete; completion, completeness, fulfilment.

  3. complementnoun

    The totality, the full amount or number which completes something.

  4. complementnoun

    Something which completes one's equipment, dress etc.; an accessory.

  5. complementnoun

    Fullness (of the moon).

  6. complementnoun

    An angle which, together with a given angle, makes a right angle.

  7. complementnoun

    Something which completes, something which combines with something else to make up a complete whole; loosely, something perceived to be a harmonious or desirable partner or addition.

  8. complementnoun

    A word or group of words that completes a grammatical construction in the predicate and that describes or is identified with the subject or object.

  9. complementnoun

    An interval which, together with the given interval, makes an octave.

  10. complementverb

    To complete, to bring to perfection, to make whole.

    We believe your addition will complement the team.

  11. complementverb

    To provide what the partner lacks and lack what the partner provides.

  12. complementverb

    To change a voltage, number, color, etc. to its complement.

  13. complementnoun

    The color which, when mixed with the given color, gives black (for mixing pigments) or white (for mixing light).

    The complement of blue is orange.

  14. complementnoun

    Given two sets, the set containing one set's elements that are not members of the other set (whether a relative complement or an absolute complement).

    The complement of the odd numbers is the even numbers, relative to the natural numbers.

  15. complementnoun

    One of several blood proteins that work with antibodies during an immune response.

  16. complementnoun

    An expression related to some other expression such that it is true under the same conditions that make other false, and vice versa.

  17. complementnoun

    A voltage level with the opposite logical sense to the given one.

  18. complementnoun

    A bit with the opposite value to the given one; the logical complement of a number.

  19. complementnoun

    The diminished radix complement of a number; the nines' complement of a decimal number; the ones' complement of a binary number.

    The complement of uE000110892uE001 is uE000110893uE001.

  20. complementnoun

    The radix complement of a number; the two's complement of a binary number.

    The complement of uE000110894uE001 is uE000110895uE001.

  21. complementnoun

    The numeric complement of a number.

    The complement of -123 is 123.

  22. complementnoun

    A nucleotide sequence in which each base is replaced by the complementary base of the given sequence: adenine (A) by thymine (T) or uracil (U), cytosine (C) by guanine (G), and vice versa.

    A DNA molecule is formed from two strands, each of which is the complement of the other.

  23. Etymology: From complementum, from complere, with some senses from.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Complementnoun

    Etymology: complementum, Latin.

    Our custom is both to place it in the front of our prayers as a guide, and to add it in the end of some principal limbs or parts, as a complement which fully perfecteth whatsoever may be defective in the rest. Richard Hooker, b. v. sect. 35.

    They as they feasted had their fill,
    For a full complement of all their ill. Hubberd’s Tale.

    For a complement of these blessings, they were enjoyed by the protection of a king of the most harmless disposition, the most exemplary piety, the greatest sobriety, chastity, and mercy. Edward Hyde.

    The sensible nature, in its complement and integrity, hath five exterior powers or faculties. Matthew Hale, Origin of Mankind.

    The god of love himself inhabits there,
    With all his rage, and dread, and grief and care;
    His complement of stores, and total war. Matthew Prior.

    If the case be such as permitteth not baptism, to have the decent complements of baptism, better it were to enjoy the body without his furniture than to wait for this, ’till the opportunity of that, for which we desire it, be lost. Richard Hooker, b. v. s. 58.

    These, which have lastly sprung up, for complements, rites and ceremonies of church actions, are, in truth, for the greatest part, such silly things, that very easiness doth make them hard to be disputed of in serious manner. Richard Hooker, Dedication.

    A doleful case desires a doleful song,
    Without vain art or curious complements. Edmund Spenser.

    Garnish’d and deck’d in modest complement,
    Not working with the ear, but with the eye. William Shakespeare, Hen. V.

Wikipedia

  1. Complement

    A complement is something that completes something else. Complement may refer specifically to:

ChatGPT

  1. complement

    In general terms, a complement is something that completes, enhances, or brings perfection to something else. It can be applied in various fields: 1. In mathematics, it refers to the quantity needed to complete something, or the subset of elements not in a given set. 2. In grammar, it's a word or group of words that completes the predicate in a sentence. 3. In immunology, it refers to a group of proteins in blood serum that, when activated, helps destroy foreign pathogens. 4. In color theory, a color that combined with a given color, makes a neutral color, generally grey or white. 5. In job roles, skills, or tasks, it defines attributes that can contribute positively to the whole and provide balance.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Complementverb

    that which fills up or completes; the quantity or number required to fill a thing or make it complete

  2. Complementverb

    that which is required to supply a deficiency, or to complete a symmetrical whole

  3. Complementverb

    full quantity, number, or amount; a complete set; completeness

  4. Complementverb

    a second quantity added to a given quantity to make it equal to a third given quantity

  5. Complementverb

    something added for ornamentation; an accessory

  6. Complementverb

    the whole working force of a vessel

  7. Complementverb

    the interval wanting to complete the octave; -- the fourth is the complement of the fifth, the sixth of the third

  8. Complementverb

    a compliment

  9. Complementverb

    to supply a lack; to supplement

  10. Complementverb

    to compliment

  11. Etymology: [L. complementun: cf. F. complment. See Complete, v. t., and cf. Compliment.]

Wikidata

  1. Complement

    In grammar and linguistics, the term complement is used with different meanings, so it is difficult to give a single precise definition and explanation. In a broad general sense however, a complement can be understood as a word, phrase or clause that is necessary to complete the meaning of a given expression. The terms complement and argument overlap in meaning and use. A given complement is therefore often also an argument. Complements are not adjuncts, however.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Complement

    kom′ple-ment, n. that which completes or fills up: full number or quantity: (Shak.) politeness.—v.t. Complement′, to supplement: (arch.) to compliment.—adjs. Complement′al, completing: (Shak.) complimental; Complement′ary, completing: together making up a whole.—Complementary angles, angles which together make up a right angle. [L. complementumcom, and plēre, to fill.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. complement

    The proper number of men employed in any ship, either for navigation or battle. In navigation the complement of the course is what it wants of eight points; of latitude, what it is short of 90°. (See CO-LATITUDE.)

Editors Contribution

  1. complement

    To use kind words to a person or people.

    It's kind to complement someone on their level of service.


    Submitted by MaryC on April 2, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. complement

    The complement symbol -- In this Symbols.com article you will learn about the meaning of the complement symbol and its characteristic.

How to pronounce complement?

How to say complement in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of complement in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of complement in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of complement in a Sentence

  1. Anders Tegnell:

    It is very dangerous to believe face masks would change the game when it comes to Covid-19, face masks can be a complement to other things when other things are safely in place. But to start with having face masks and then think you can crowd your buses or your shopping malls -- that's definitely a mistake.

  2. Mark Dunnachie:

    We are not saying we want to replace A320s, 737s, ATRs. We complement the larger narrow bodies.

  3. Jose Serra ,73:

    It was a complement disguised as a joke, i apologized. I’ve always had respect for Katia.

  4. Christian Leffler:

    The two processes complement each other and we very much welcome the step of the United States away from confrontation.

  5. Heather Fay:

    We ’d love to be able to see that data to see if they complement each other or are at odds with each other.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for complement

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • تكملةArabic
  • допълвам, добавка, допълнениеBulgarian
  • complementarCatalan, Valencian
  • doplněk, doplnitCzech
  • ergänzenGerman
  • komplementoEsperanto
  • complementar, complementarse, complementoSpanish
  • täiendamaEstonian
  • täydennys, vastaväri, komplementtiväri, predikatiivi, määre, vastaluku, binäärikomplementti, täydennysväri, komplementti, attribuutti, täydentää, yhden komplementti, kahden komplementtiFinnish
  • complémenter, complète, compléterFrench
  • aachioneManx
  • השליםHebrew
  • पूरक हैंHindi
  • complementoItalian
  • 差集合, 補集合Japanese
  • aanvullen, volmakenDutch
  • uzupełnienie, dopełnieniePolish
  • complemento, [[ângulo]] [[complementar]]Portuguese
  • дополнение, цвет, комплемент, дополнение до прямого угла, дополнительный, последовательность комплементарных оснований, разность множествRussian
  • tekmil etmek, tamamlama, tekmil, tamamlamakTurkish
  • bổ thểVietnamese

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"complement." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/complement>.

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    lacking in nutritive value
    A lank
    B bibulous
    C commensal
    D jejune

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