What is the difference between complimentary and complementary?

You're right to be confused! These words sound very similar, but they have entirely different meanings. Here's the breakdown:

* Complimentary means "given free of charge" or "expressing admiration."

* Example: "The hotel offered a complimentary breakfast."

* Example: "She received many complimentary remarks on her performance."

* Complementary means "enhancing or completing something else" or "fitting well together."

* Example: "The colors in the painting were complementary."

* Example: "Their skills are complementary; she's great at design, and he's great at marketing."

Here's a handy mnemonic:

* Think of "complimentary" as "compliment" + "ary" (meaning "related to"). So it's something given as a compliment.

* Think of "complementary" as "complete" + "mentary" (meaning "related to"). So it's something that completes or enhances something else.

Remember, complimentary is about being free or giving praise, while complementary is about things fitting together well.