Complementary: meaning, definitions and examples
🔄
complementary
[ ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛnt(ə)ri ]
mathematics
Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another.
Synonyms
accentuating, enhancing, harmonizing
Examples of usage
- The two angles are complementary, adding up to 90 degrees.
- His skills are complementary to hers, making them a great team.
biology
Having complementary functions or roles in an ecosystem.
Synonyms
interdependent, mutually beneficial, symbiotic
Examples of usage
- The predator and prey have a complementary relationship in the ecosystem.
- Plants and insects have complementary interactions for pollination.
Translations
Translations of the word "complementary" in other languages:
🇵🇹 complementar
🇮🇳 पूरक
🇩🇪 ergänzend
🇮🇩 komplementer
🇺🇦 додатковий
🇵🇱 uzupełniający
🇯🇵 補完的 (ほかんてき)
🇫🇷 complémentaire
🇪🇸 complementario
🇹🇷 tamamlayıcı
🇰🇷 보완적인
🇸🇦 مكمل
🇨🇿 doplňkový
🇸🇰 doplňujúci
🇨🇳 互补的 (hùbǔ de)
🇸🇮 dopolen
🇮🇸 viðbót
🇰🇿 толықтырушы
🇬🇪 დამატებითი
🇦🇿 tamamlayıcı
🇲🇽 complementario
Word origin
The word 'complementary' originated from the Latin word 'complementum', meaning 'that which fills up or completes'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of complementarity has been widely used in various fields, such as mathematics, biology, and economics, to describe the relationship between two elements that enhance or complete each other.
See also: complement.