What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Complimentary vs Compatible - What's the difference?

complimentary | compatible |

As adjectives the difference between complimentary and compatible

is that complimentary is in the nature of a compliment while compatible is capable of easy interaction.

As a noun compatible is

something that is compatible with something else.

complimentary

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • In the nature of a compliment.
  • * , The Letters of Mark Twain, Vol. 3 (published 2004) p. 56.
  • But yesterday evening late, when Lewis arrived from down town he found his supper spread, and some presents of books there, with very complimentary' writings on the fly-leaves, and certain very ' complimentary letters, and more or less greenbacks of dignified denomination pinned to those letters and fly-leaves...
  • Free; provided at no charge.
  • * Vivien Lougheed, Belize Pocket Adventures (2005), p. 65.
  • In the evenings, Ward and PJ offer guests a complimentary drink. This gesture seems to reinforce the hosts' desire to make everyone feel welcome.
  • With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.
  • * Richard H. Beatty, The Perfect Cover Letter (2003).
  • The complimentary closing is the word grouping used to bring the message or text to a close.

    Usage notes

    * Complimentary and complementary are frequently confused and misused in place of one another.

    Antonyms

    * uncomplimentary

    Derived terms

    * complimentarily * complimentariness

    compatible

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of easy interaction.
  • Able to get along well.
  • Consistent; congruous.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=1 citation , passage=She was like a Beardsley Salome , he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.}}

    Antonyms

    * incompatible

    Derived terms

    * compatibility

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that is compatible with something else.
  • a computer company that sells IBM compatibles