Spelling.School · How to spell

How to spell complement

Complement is spelled C-O-M-P-L-E-M-E-N-T.

What it means: Something that completes or enhances.

In a sentence: The colors of the rainbow complement each other beautifully. ▶

The part people get wrong

Watch for an unstressed vowel that is hard to hear.

Not to be confused with: compliment, a different word.

Same family: complementary, complemented, complementing, supplement, addition. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: “Complement” comes from Latin *complēre*, meaning “to fill up” or “to complete.” It is closely related to, but different from, “compliment,” which comes from a word for an expression of respect or praise—one reason English learners often confuse the two.

Try spelling it

You will hear the word and a sentence. Type it and press Enter. Then four more words from the same level, so you know where you stand.

Words like this

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