What is the Daily Buzzword for May 30? complement \KAHM-pluh-munt\ verb What does it mean? : to form or be something that fills up or completes (something else) How do you use it? All the bride needed was the perfect pair of shoes to complement her gown and veil. Are you a word wiz? "Complement" is sometimes confused with "compliment," a noun that means an expression of admiration, and a verb that means to give such an expression of admiration to. Which of the sentences below correctly uses our Buzzword "complement"? A. She politely paid him a complement. B. I meant to complement Mom on her delicious dinner. C. Example sentences are meant to complement your understanding of the word. D. Please send my warmest complements to the Senator as she begins her new term of office. Answer: Our compliments if you chose C! Answers A, B, and D use "complement" when they should use "compliment." (Answer D is an example of the use of "compliment" to mean the same as "regards" or "best wishes.") Though they look and sound similar, "compliment" and "complement" have different histories. "Compliment" comes from a Spanish verb that means "to be courteous," and "complement" (which also has a corresponding noun) comes from a Latin verb that means "to fill up." To keep them straight remember that "complement" means "to complete," and that both "complement" and "complete" feature two E's and no I's.