Complement means something that completes or improves something else by adding what's missing. When two things complement each other, they work together perfectly because each one supplies what the other lacks.

Think about peanut butter and jelly: they complement each other because the sweetness of jelly balances the richness of peanut butter. In a relay race, teammates complement each other when a fast starter pairs with someone who has great endurance. A good illustration can complement a story by showing details the words don't describe.

When a restaurant serves french fries as a complement to a burger, those fries complete the meal. When a shy student partners with an outgoing classmate on a presentation, their different strengths complement each other.

Don't confuse complement with compliment (praise). An easy way to remember: complement has an “e” like “complete,” while compliment has an “i” like “I like you.” When the school chorus and orchestra perform together, their sounds complement each other, and afterward, you might compliment them on their beautiful performance.