How to pronounce compliment
Say it like KOM-pluh-ment. Compliment 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 compliment. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOM
- pluh
- ment
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compliment 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.
- mentKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of compliment
- 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 compliment mean?
- say something to someone that expresses praise“He complimented her on her last physics paper”
- express respect or esteem for
- a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
Where does compliment come from?
Borrowed from French compliment, itself a borrowing of Italian complimento, which in turn is a borrowing from Spanish cumplimiento, from cumplir (“to comply, complete, do what is proper”) + -miento or Latin complēmentum.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying compliment
How do you pronounce compliment?
Say KOM-pluh-ment. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑmpləmɛnt/. In British English it is /ˈkɒmplɪmənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compliment?
Compliment has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOM). Broken into parts: KOM · pluh · ment.
Is compliment 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).