WordGarden.iocomplementation
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Meanings
Noun
the act or process of adding what completes or balances something
the use or selection of complements in grammatical structure
in genetics, the restoration or testing of function when different mutations or gene products supply what the other lacks
More meaningsFewer meanings
in mathematics or logic, the operation of forming a complement
Beyond the definition
Complementation describes how two things complete each other, with each one bringing something the other one lacks. Think of peanut butter and jelly—neither is quite as good on its own! It is about parts that work together to make a stronger whole. In linguistics, it refers to the word or phrase a verb (or another word) needs to feel complete (like saying "I enjoy reading," where "reading" finishes the idea of "enjoy"). You might say a chef's skills and fresh ingredients show great complementation, resulting in an amazing meal.
The idea is that something isn't just added to something else; it fills a gap or brings out what is already there. A well-chosen accessory can complement an outfit and make the whole look more polished. Or consider a team where one person's strengths cover another person's weak spots—that kind of complementation is often how they succeed.
Complementation refers to the action or state of enhancing something else by completing it or bringing out its best qualities. It is about synergy—where the combined effect is greater than the sum of individual parts. Think of a beautiful painting: the colors, brushstrokes, and composition complement one another, creating a harmonious whole. (In everyday speech, people more often use complement or complementary; complementation shows up more in formal or technical writing.)
The concept appears in several contexts. In art and design, it describes how colors or shapes work together to create visual harmony. A red dress might be complemented by gold jewelry, enhancing its richness.
In linguistics, complementation is a crucial grammatical concept. Verbs often require specific words or phrases (called complements) to express a complete thought. For example, you can say "She is happy," but "is" needs the adjective "happy" to be meaningful—"happy" is its complement. Similarly, "I gave him the book" requires "him" and "the book" to make sense.
In genetics, the term is also used in a specific way: two different genetic changes can sometimes "make up for" each other when they affect different genes, helping restore a normal function. This idea is used in a "complementation test," which helps researchers figure out whether two mutations are in the same gene or in different genes.
Beyond these technical uses, complementation can simply describe a harmonious pairing or relationship where elements work together seamlessly. A strong leader might seek advisors whose skills complement their own, creating a well-rounded team. Or you might say that sunshine and warm weather are a perfect complement for a beach day!
So whether it is grammar, art, relationships, or simply good taste—complementation is about how things come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It is about finding what completes something else, making it whole and beautiful.
Examples
- 1
Linguistics course
In linguistics, the course introduces basic patterns of complementation in English.
- 2
Spoken English
The study compares the complementation of hope and want in spoken English.
- 3
Genetics lab
In the genetics lab, complementation tests showed that the two mutations were in different genes.
- Phrasecomplementation test
a test used to check whether two mutations affect the same gene or different genes
See also
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Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- mutual complementation
- functional complementation
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- complementationnoun