Cool MateComplimentary vs Play on the house
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Complimentary
Top 3,000 (common)
Play on the house
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ComplimentaryMost common: Complimentary
| Complimentary | Play on the house | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kəmˈplɪməntri//🇺🇸 //kəmˈplɪməntəri// | 🇬🇧 //pleɪ ɒn ðə haʊs//🇺🇸 //pleɪ ɑn ði haʊs// |
| Meaning | Something that is free or praises someone. | Get something for free at a bar or restaurant. |
| Example | The hotel offered complimentary breakfast to all guests. | The drinks are play on the house tonight because we have a special event. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | complimentary service, complimentary gift, complimentary remarks, complimentary offer, complimentary ticket | get play on the house, offer play on the house, enjoy play on the house |
| Antonyms | critical, disparaging | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'complementary'; they have different meanings., Used incorrectly to refer to something that is not free or praise., Omitting the context when saying 'complimentary' can lead to misunderstanding. | Used in formal settings, which sounds inappropriate., Confused with 'house rules', which has a different meaning., Assuming it applies outside restaurants or bars, where it may not be common. |
| Usage notes | Use 'complimentary' to describe praises given or items provided for free. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, but avoid in informal conversations. | This phrase is commonly used in restaurants or bars to indicate a complimentary item. It's informal and should generally not be used in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Complimentary vs Play on the house
What's the difference between Complimentary and Play on the house?
Complimentary: Something that is free or praises someone. Play on the house: Get something for free at a bar or restaurant.
Which is more formal: Complimentary and Play on the house?
Complimentary is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Complimentary and Play on the house?
Complimentary is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Complimentary: The hotel offered complimentary breakfast to all guests. Play on the house: The drinks are play on the house tonight because we have a special event.
Can I use Complimentary and Play on the house interchangeably?
Not always. Complimentary and Play on the house 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.