complementary

noun

A complementary colour.

An angle which adds with another to equal 90 degrees.

(obsolete) One skilled in compliments.

adjective

Acting as a complement; making up a whole with something else.

(genetics) Of the specific pairings of the bases in DNA and RNA.

(physics) Pertaining to pairs of properties in quantum mechanics that are inversely related to each other, such as speed and position, or energy and time. (See also Heisenberg uncertainty principle.)

Roots

pleople- · Latin · fill

Synonyms for complementary

complementaladj completingadj

Synonyms & related words for complementary

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of complementary — including complemental, completing. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to complementary

Explore words related to complementary — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include complement, complementarity, complimentarily, supplementary, suppletory, supplemental, synergistic, supplement. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for complementary

Common synonyms for complementary include complemental, completing — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does complementary come from?

The word complementary breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root ple-, from Latin pleo (“fill”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.