Compliment
n.kind, joyfulwarm
What it means
A favorable remark that expresses specific praise, admiration, or appreciation.
Reach for it when naming words meant to help someone know what was valued
Her compliment praised the apprentice's patient explanation rather than his natural talent.
Choose between these
7- playful
informal congratulations or credit suit the audience
not when Kudos usually follows an achievement and is awkward for appearance or taste.
- everyday
approval may be broad, repeated, or public
not when Praise names the act or approval generally, while a compliment is a particular remark.
- warm
kind word
gentle everyday appreciation is enough
not when A kind word may comfort or encourage without praising anything specific.
- professional
a contribution needs to be noticed explicitly
not when Acknowledgment can be neutral and may contain no admiration.
- professional
flattering remark
the comment pleases by presenting someone favorably
not when Flattery may be exaggerated or self-serving, unlike a sincere compliment.
- formal
commendation
official approval recognizes merit or service
not when Commendation is more institutional and substantial than an everyday compliment.
- literary
extended honor or gratitude is directed at someone
not when A tribute is larger and often public or retrospective.
Said against
3- insult
- criticism
- slight
It naturally appears in
3- sincere compliment
A sincere compliment named the exact choice that improved the result.
- pay a compliment
She chose to pay a compliment without commenting on appearance.
- receive a compliment
He learned to receive a compliment without immediately denying it.
Where this comes from
- merriam-webster, noun sense 1 opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.