- [countable]
a comment that expresses praise or approval of somebody 赞扬；称赞 to pay somebody a compliment (= to praise them for something) 对某人表示赞扬 ‘You understand the problem because you're so much older.’ ‘I'll take that as a compliment!’ “您是能理解这个问题的，因为您年纪大那么多。” “就当你这是夸奖吧！” It's a great compliment to be asked to do the job. 获聘请做这项工作是一项极大的荣誉。 to return the compliment (= to treat somebody in the same way as they have treated you) 照样回敬
Extra ExamplesHe returned her compliment by saying how well she looked. 对于她的称赞，他回报说她很漂亮。 If Mark's wearing a suit, that'll be a compliment to you! 如果马克穿套装，那就是对你的尊敬！ Please don't misunderstand me—I meant it as a compliment. 请别误解我的意思 － 我这是赞美之言。 She acknowledged their compliments with a big smile. 她喜笑颜开地接受了他们的赞美。 She received several compliments on her speech. 她的演讲得到了一些人的称赞。 To listen to someone is the greatest compliment you can pay. 用心倾听就是对别人最高的尊重。 She always paid me compliments on my hair and my clothes. 她经常称赞我的头发和着装。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- tremendous
- …
- give
- pay somebody
- mean something as
- …
- compliment on
- compliment to
- compliments[plural] (formal)
polite words or good wishes, especially when used to express praise and approval 致意；问候；祝贺 My compliments to the chef! 请向厨师代为致意！ - (British English)
Compliments of the season! (= for Christmas or the New Year) 谨致节日的祝贺！（圣诞节或新年时的贺辞） Please accept these flowers with the compliments of (= as a gift from) the manager. 请接受经理送的鲜花。 Please give my compliments to your wife. 请代我问候你的妻子。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + compliments- give somebody
- present (somebody with)
- send somebody
- …
- slip
- with somebody’s compliment
- compliment to
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French compliment (noun), complimenter (verb), from Italian complimento ‘fulfilment of the requirements of courtesy’, from Latin complementum ‘completion, fulfilment’ (reflected in the earlier English spelling complement, gradually replaced by the French form between 1655 and 1715).
Idioms
a backhanded compliment
(North American English also left-handed compliment)
a comment that seems to express approval but could also be understood as expressing a poor opinion of somebody/something 隐含讥讽的恭维 In a backhanded compliment she said he looked very good for his age. 她说他比实际年龄年轻许多，其实是有言外之意。