Cool MateComplement vs Match
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Complement
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Match
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Match
| Complement | Match | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmplɪment/","/ˈkɒmplɪments/","/ˈkɒmplɪmentɪd/","/ˈkɒmplɪmentɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmplɪment/","/ˈkɑːmplɪments/","/ˈkɑːmplɪmentɪd/","/ˈkɑːmplɪmentɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/mætʃ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/mætʃ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something that goes well with something else or completes it. | To be the same as something else or to go well together. |
| Example | The excellent menu is complemented by a good wine list. | I watched the football match on TV last night. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | nicely, well, perfectly | boxing, chess, football, play, have, go to, take place, during a/the match, in a/the match, match against, excellent, good, perfect, find, make, match between, match for, meet your match, the right match, excellent, good, perfect, find, make, match between, match for, meet your match, the right match, exact, find, match for, lighted, lit, book, box, light, strike, blow out, put a match to something |
| Antonyms | detract, contrast | mismatch, disagree |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confusing with 'mismatch' when talking about differences., Using 'matches' as a verb incorrectly in past tense without context., Using 'match' as a noun without proper context can be confusing. |
| Usage notes | 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'. | Use 'match' when comparing items, like colors or styles. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where 'correspond' might be better. |
Frequently asked questions: Complement vs Match
What's the difference between Complement and Match?
Complement: Something that goes well with something else or completes it. Match: To be the same as something else or to go well together.
Which is more common: Complement and Match?
Match is the most common in everyday English.
Are Complement and Match the same CEFR level?
Complement: C1, Match: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Complement and Match interchangeably?
Not always. Complement and Match 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.