How to pronounce complement
Say it like KOM-pluh-munt. Complement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce complement. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOM
- pluh
- munt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Complement pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pluhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- muntKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of complement
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOM-plih-munt.
What does complement mean?
- a word or phrase used to complete a grammatical construction
- a complete number or quantity“a full complement”
- number needed to make up a whole force“a full complement of workers”
- 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”
Where does complement come from?
From Middle English complement, from Latin complēmentum (“that which fills up or completes”), from compleō (“to fill up; to complete”) (English complete).
Questions about saying complement
How do you pronounce complement?
Say KOM-pluh-munt. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmpləmənt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in complement?
Complement has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM). Broken into parts: KOM · pluh · munt.
Is complement pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/ (KOM-plih-munt).