complementary

views updated May 17 2018

com·ple·men·ta·ry / ˌkämpləˈment(ə)rē/ • adj. 1. completing; forming a complement: backyard satellite dishes and the complementary electronic components. ∎  (of two or more different things) combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other's qualities: three guitarists playing interlocking, complementary parts. ∎  Biochem. (of gene sequences, nucleotides, etc.) related by the rules of base pairing.2. of or relating to complementary medicine.DERIVATIVES: com·ple·men·ta·ri·ly / ˌkämpləˈmentrəlē; -menˈterəlē/ adv.com·ple·men·ta·ri·ness n.