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Gift vs Compliment - What's the difference?

gift | compliment | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between gift and compliment

is that gift is something given to another voluntarily, without charge while compliment is an expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.

As verbs the difference between gift and compliment

is that gift is to give as a gift while compliment is to pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).

gift

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something given to another voluntarily, without charge.
  • A talent or natural ability.
  • :
  • *
  • *:“[…] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.”
  • Something gained incidentally, without effort.
  • The act, right, or power of giving or bestowing.
  • :

    • Synonyms

    * (1): (often monetary'') contribution, (''monetary ) donation, present * (2): talent

    See also

    * lagniappe

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give as a gift.
  • To give away, to concede easily.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=September 28 , author=Jon Smith , title=Valencia 1 - 1 Chelsea , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Chelsea threw away two points when substitute Salomon Kalou gifted Valencia a penalty five minutes from time with a needless handball.}}

    Synonyms

    * contribute * donate * give

    Derived terms

    * gift from above * gift horse * gift of the gab * gift voucher * God's gift to man * God's gift to women * regift

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    compliment

    English

    (wikipedia compliment)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complire, from (etyl) complere

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expression of praise, congratulation, encouragement, or respect.
  • * Milton
    • Tedious waste of time, to sit and hear / So many hollow compliments and lies.
  • * Cowper
    • many a compliment politely penned
  • (uncountable) Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.
  • *
    • This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl, and take the pains to talk to her, not with absurd compliment , but with an appeal to her understanding, and sometimes with instructive correction.
    • Synonyms
    * See also
    Antonyms
    *insult
    Derived terms
    * backhanded compliment * left-handed compliment * with compliments

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl), from (etyl) complimento'' (etyl) ''cumplimiento'', from ''cumplir'', from ''complire'', from (etyl) ''complere .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To pay a compliment (to); to express a favorable opinion (of).
  • * Prior
    • Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; / Should compliment their foes and shun their friends.
    • Antonyms
    *insult