2 VERB If people or things complement each other, they are different or do something different, which makes them a good combination. □ [V n] There will be a written examination to complement the practical test. □ [V n] We complement one another perfectly.
3 N‑COUNT [usu sing] Something that is a complement to something else complements it. □ [+ to ] The green wallpaper is the perfect complement to the old pine of the dresser.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The complement of things or people that something has is the number of things or people that it normally has, which enable it to function properly. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Each ship had a complement of around a dozen officers and 250 men.
5 N‑COUNT In grammar, the complement of a link verb is an adjective group or noun group which comes after the verb and describes or identifies the subject. For example, in the sentence 'They felt very tired', 'very tired' is the complement. In 'They were students', 'students' is the complement.
com|ple|men|tary /kɒ mpl I me ntri/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n, Also v-link ADJ to n] Complementary things are different from each other but make a good combination. [FORMAL ] □ To improve the quality of life through work, two complementary strategies are necessary. □ [+ to ] He has done experiments complementary to those of Eigen. ● com|ple|men|ta|rity /kɒ mpl I mentæ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ between ] …the complementarity between public and private authorities.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Complementary medicine refers to ways of treating patients which are different from the ones used by most Western doctors, for example acupuncture and homoeopathy. □ …combining orthodox treatment with a wide range of complementary therapies.
com|ple|men|ta|tion /kɒ mpl I mente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] In linguistics, a complementation pattern of a verb, noun, or adjective is the patterns that typically follow it. [TECHNICAL ]
com|plete ◆◆◆ /kəmpliː t/ (completes , completing , completed )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use complete to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be. [EMPHASIS ] □ The rebels had taken complete control. □ It shows a complete lack of understanding by management. □ The resignation came as a complete surprise. □ He was the complete opposite of Raymond. ● com|plete|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed. □ …something completely different.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use complete to emphasize that you are referring to the whole of something and not just part of it. [EMPHASIS ] □ A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground. □ The job sheets eventually filled a complete book.
3 ADJ If something is complete , it contains all the parts that it should contain. □ The list may not be complete. □ …a complete dinner service. ● com|plete|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained.
4 VERB [no cont] To complete a set or group means to provide the last item that is needed to make it a full set or group. □ [V n] …the stickers needed to complete the collection.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] The complete works of a writer are all their books or poems published together in one book or as a set of books. □ …the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
6 PHRASE If one thing comes complete with another, it has that thing as an extra or additional part. □ [+ with ] The diary comes complete with a gold-coloured ballpoint pen.
7 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is complete , it has been finished. □ The work of restoring the farmhouse is complete. □ It'll be two years before the process is complete.
8 VERB If you complete something, you finish doing, making, or producing it. □ [V n] Peter Mayle has just completed his first novel. □ [get n V -ed] …the rush to get the stadiums completed on time. ● com|ple|tion /kəmpliː ʃ ə n/ (completions ) N‑VAR □ The project is nearing completion. □ House completions for the year should be up from 1,841 to 2,200.
9 VERB [no cont] If you complete something, you do all of it. □ [V n] She completed her degree in two years. □ [V n] This book took years to complete.
10 VERB If you complete a form or questionnaire, you write the answers or information asked for in it. □ [V n] Simply complete the coupon below. □ [V -ed] Use the enclosed envelope to return your completed survey.
com|plex ◆◆◇ /kɒ mpleks/ (complexes ) The adjective is pronounced /kəmple ks/ in American English. 1 ADJ Something that is complex has many different parts, and is therefore often difficult to understand. □ …in-depth coverage of today's complex issues. □ …a complex system of voting. □ …her complex personality. □ …complex machines.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In grammar, a complex sentence contains one or more subordinate clauses as well as a main clause. Compare compound , simple .
3 N‑COUNT A complex is a group of buildings designed for a particular purpose, or one large building divided into several smaller areas. □ …plans for constructing a new stadium and leisure complex. □ [+ of ] …a complex of offices and flats.
4 N‑COUNT If someone has a complex about something, they have a mental or emotional problem relating to it, often because of an unpleasant experience in the past. □ [+ about ] I have never had a complex about my height. □ …a deranged attacker, driven by a persecution complex.