NRTC English: ‘Artiste’ is different from ‘artist’, and ‘compliment’ is not the same as ‘complement’

Some words in English look very alike, except for a letter added to either of them or that makes a difference in the middle position. These words carry different meanings. Some of such pair of words are ‘artiste’ and ‘artist’, ‘compliment’ and ‘complement’.

Compliment is a polite expression of admiration or praise for something or someone. For example:

Speaker A: You look very dapper in your new dress.

Speaker B: Thanks for the compliment.

Speaker C. Speaker A complimented Speaker B’s dress.

This example shows that ‘compliment’ can be used as a noun and also as a verb.

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It is also imperative to note that it is compliments of the season, with ‘s’, not complements of the season. “Compliments of the season” is used as a seasonal greeting at Christmas or the New Year.

On the other hand, however, ‘complement’ is a thing that contributes extra features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasize its quality.

For examples:

I. The spices provide the perfect complement to the stew.

II. A classic blazer complements a look that’s smart or casual.

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Artiste or artist?

An artist is someone who creates paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby.

When someone sings or dances as a profession or something, he or she is called an arTISTE.

Therefore, it is correct to say Davido, Wizkid, Tems, and BurnaBoy are artistes.

Writers and poets are also known as artists.