Word · CEFR C1 · Frequency #6673
complementary
互补的；补充的；相辅相成的
Combining with something else to form a complete whole; supplying what is missing.
- 1.
Acting as a complement; making up a whole with something else.
互补的；与其它事物共同构成整体的。
- 2.
Of the specific pairings of the bases in DNA and RNA.
DNA和RNA中碱基特异性配对的。
- 3.
of words or propositions so related that each is the negation of the other
互为否定关系的
- 4.
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.)
量子力学中相互成反比关系的性质对(如速度与位置、能量与时间)的。
- 5.
acting as or providing a complement (something that completes the whole)
互补的,完善整体的
碱基互补的；互为否定的；互相对立的；（量子力学）互补的；互补的；与其它事物共同构成整体的。；DNA和RNA中碱基特异性配对的。
In use
The two colors are complementary, creating a vibrant contrast.
She offers complementary services to help clients complete their projects.
Their skills are complementary; he is analytical while she is creative.
`male' and `female' are complementary terms
be complementary to sth
表示两者相辅相成，强调缺一不可。
The two strategies are complementary to each other.
这两种策略互相补充。
complementary + noun
作定语，修饰名词，如互补色、互补角色等。
They have complementary skills in the team.
他们在团队中拥有互补的技能。
Connections
Collocations
- complementary colors
- 互补色
- The designer used complementary colors to make the poster stand out.设计师使用互补色让海报更醒目。
- complementary roles
- 相辅相成的角色
- The two partners have complementary roles in the business.两位合伙人在企业中扮演相辅相成的角色。
- complementary skills
- 互补的技能
- Their complementary skills make them a strong team.他们互补的技能使他们成为一支强大的团队。
- complementary relationship
- 互补关系
- The two countries enjoy a complementary relationship in trade.两国在贸易方面享有互补关系。
- complementary medicine
- 补充医学
- She uses complementary medicine to relieve her symptoms.她使用补充医学来缓解症状。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想：complement（补充物）与 complete（完整）拼写相近，互补的拼图合起来才完整；而 complimentary 才是'赞美的/赠送的'。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：general description、academic writing、technical domains 该词在一般描述中属于中性用词，日常书面和口语中都可以见到；在学术或专业语境（如生物学、语言学、物理学）中常有特定的技术含义。正式程度随语境略有变化，但通常不会显得很口语化。
Pronunciation & Spelling
押韵：elementary, supplementary, documentary, parliamentary 都以 /ˈmɛntri/ 结尾，与 complementary 押韵。注意：complement 和 compliment 拼写相近，但读作 /ˈkɑːmpləmənt/，重音在首音节，不与 complementary 押韵。另：complimentary 常与 complementary 同音，但中间是 -i-。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.