complementary

/kɑmplɪˈmɛntri/

/kɒmplɪˈmɛntəri/

Other forms: complementaries; complementarily

If something is complementary, then it somehow completes or enhances the qualities of something else. If your beautiful voice is completely complementary to your brother's song writing skills, you should form a family band!

You’ve probably heard of “complementary colors,” colors that are opposite in hue on the color wheel but actually go well together. When combined, they make a harmonious palette. People’s personalities can also be complementary, as can certain food pairings. But be careful not to confuse this adjective with the closely spelled complimentary, which means “supplied free of charge.”

Definitions of complementary

1. adjective

   acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
   synonyms: complemental, completing

   additive

   characterized or produced by addition
2. noun

   either one of two chromatic colors that when mixed together give white (in the case of lights) or grey (in the case of pigments)
   “yellow and blue are complementaries”

   synonyms: complementary color

   type of:

   chromatic color, chromatic colour, spectral color, spectral colour

   a color that has hue
3. adjective

   of words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other
   “`male' and `female' are complementary terms”

   synonyms:

   antonymous

   of words: having opposite meanings
4. adjective

   (of angles) equaling 90 degrees when added together