Word: complementary (adjective)

Associations

"Complementary" means something that completes or goes well with something else. It is often used to describe things that combine to make a whole or enhance each other.

• Example 1: "They have complementary skills." This means their skills are different but work well together.
• Example 2: "The colors blue and orange are complementary." This means the colors look good together because they balance each other.
• Example 3: "We offer complementary services to help customers." Here, it means services that add value or complete the main service.

A well-known synonym is "supplementary," but "supplementary" usually means adding something extra, while "complementary" means completing or balancing something.

Substitution

You can use words like:

• matching (if talking about things that go well together)
• corresponding (if talking about things that relate or fit together)
• supplementary (if you want to emphasize adding extra rather than completing)

Changing the word can slightly change the meaning. For example, "supplementary" focuses on adding more, while "complementary" focuses on completing.

Deconstruction

• Root: "complement" means something that completes or makes perfect.
• Prefix: "com-" means "together" or "with."
• Suffix: "-ary" turns the noun "complement" into an adjective, meaning "related to complement."

The word comes from Latin "complementum," meaning "that which fills up or completes."

Inquiry

• Can you think of two things in your life that are complementary?
• How do complementary colors affect the way you see pictures or designs?
• Have you ever worked with someone whose skills complemented yours? How was that helpful?