What does complimentarily mean?
"Complimentarily" is the adverb form of "complimentary," describing an action done in a way that expresses praise, admiration, or approval. It appears most naturally in contexts such as criticism and journalism — a book might be "complimentarily reviewed" — or in describing speech that conveys admiration. The word shares its root with "complement" and "complete," tracing back through Latin to "complere," meaning "to fill up or complete." Despite its respectable pedigree, it is genuinely rare in modern usage, partly because English speakers tend to reach for alternatives like "approvingly," "favorably," or simply "positively." Learners should also be alert to its close cousin "complementarily" (from "complementary"), which describes things that combine well or complete each other rather than offering praise. Knowing the distinction between these two look-alike adverbs is a small but genuine mark of precision in vocabulary.
adverbIn a complimentary manner; in a way that expresses praise, admiration, or approval.
- In a manner that expresses praise, admiration, or approval; used chiefly to describe reviews, remarks, or mentions.
"The novel was complimentarily reviewed in nearly every major paper."
"The film was complimentarily reviewed by critics who praised its restraint."
""You've outdone yourself this time," she said, half jokingly, half complimentarily."
It sounds like a typo of "complementarily," but "complimentarily" is real — it's just one of those adverbs so rare most dictionaries skip it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of complimentarily
"Complimentarily" derives from "complimentary," which entered English via Italian "complimento" and Spanish "cumplimiento," ultimately from Latin "complementum" ("that which fills up"), from "complere" ("to fill up, complete"). In English, "compliment" came to mean an expression of praise or courtesy, giving rise to two distinct senses of "complimentary": expressing praise and given free of charge. The adverbial form "-ly" was appended to create "complimentarily," though it remains far less common than the base adjective.
Related word forms
How complimentarily is actually used
This is a rare, somewhat awkward adverb; in careful writing many editors prefer rephrasing (e.g. "was favorably reviewed") over using "complimentarily." Its near-homograph "complementarily" is more common in academic and technical prose.
Easily confused with complimentarily
"Complimentarily" means in a praising or admiring way (from "complimentary", a free gift or an expression of praise), while "complementarily" means in a way that completes or combines well with something else (from "complementary").