complementary
complementary Lexical Profile
complementary Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.
"The two business partners had complementary skills that made their startup thrive."
Relating to two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel that, when combined in the right proportions, produce white, grey, or black.
"Blue and orange are complementary colors often paired to create strong visual contrast in paintings."
Relating to two angles whose sum is 90 degrees, or in genetics, relating to two nucleic acid strands that can base-pair with each other.
"During DNA replication, enzymes synthesize a complementary strand using the original sequence as a template."
Relating to medical or therapeutic practices used alongside conventional medicine rather than in place of it.
"Many patients explore complementary therapies like acupuncture to help manage chronic pain."
• noun
A color that is directly opposite another on the color wheel and combines with it to produce white or black, or Something that completes or enhances another thing.
"The artist used bright yellows and their complementaries to make the canvas vibrant."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with its homophone 'complimentary', which means expressing praise or given free of charge, whereas 'complementary' refers to things that combine well or complete each other.
• Rhymes for complementary
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 17th century from 'complement' plus the suffix '-ary', ultimately tracing back to Latin 'complementum' ('that which fills up or completes'), from 'complere' ('to fill up').