Cool MateAccessory vs Complement
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accessory
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Complement
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Complement
| Accessory | Complement | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əkˈsɛsəri//🇺🇸 //əkˈsɛsəri// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmplɪment/","/ˈkɒmplɪments/","/ˈkɒmplɪmentɪd/","/ˈkɒmplɪmentɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmplɪment/","/ˈkɑːmplɪments/","/ˈkɑːmplɪmentɪd/","/ˈkɑːmplɪmentɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something you wear or use to make an outfit better. | Something that goes well with something else or completes it. |
| Example | She chose a beautiful hat as an accessory for her dress. | The excellent menu is complemented by a good wine list. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | fashion accessory, accessory item, car accessory, accessory to a crime, personal accessory | nicely, well, perfectly |
| Antonyms | - | detract, contrast |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'accessories' as plural when referring to a single item., Using 'accessory' to describe unrelated electronic items., Incorrectly applying 'accessory' to describe main components. | Confused with 'compliment', which means to praise someone., Using 'complement' in the wrong context, like to mean 'complete'., Incorrectly spelling it as 'complement' when referring to praise. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in fashion contexts. More formal when referring to legal or additional items to something. | Use 'complement' when talking about adding something that enhances or completes another thing. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid using it in situations that require a different meaning like 'compliment'. |
Frequently asked questions: Accessory vs Complement
What's the difference between Accessory and Complement?
Accessory: Something you wear or use to make an outfit better. Complement: Something that goes well with something else or completes it.
Which is more common: Accessory and Complement?
Complement is the most common in everyday English.
Can I use Accessory and Complement interchangeably?
Not always. Accessory and Complement are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.