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Courtesy vs Complimentary - What's the difference?

courtesy | complimentary |

As adjectives the difference between courtesy and complimentary

is that courtesy is given or done as a polite gesture while complimentary is in the nature of a compliment.

As a noun courtesy

is polite behavior.

As a verb courtesy

is alternative form of lang=en.

courtesy

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) Polite behavior.
    • Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.
  • (countable) A polite gesture or remark.
    • I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy .
  • * Shakespeare
    • My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you.
  • (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
    • They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
  • (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
    • They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
  • A curtsey.
  • * Goldsmith
    • The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

    Derived terms

    * courtesy call * courtesy card * courtesy copy * courtesy name * courtesy of

    Derived terms

    * courtesy of

    Verb

  • * Samuel Richardson
    • Well, but Polly attended, as I said; and there were strange simperings, and bowing, and courtesying , between them; the honest gentleman seeming not to know how to let his mistress wait upon him

    Adjective

    courtesy (no comparative or superlative''; ''used only before the noun )
  • Given or done as a polite gesture.
    • We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
  • Free of charge.
    • The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

    Synonyms

    * free of charge

    References

    complimentary

    English

    (wikipedia 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