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Glite Dictionary
to receive a compliment

to receive a compliment

1 2.3
To get praise from someone for something you did
  • phrasal verb
  • /rɪˈsiːv ə ˈkɒmplɪmənt/
translation icon : recibir un cumplido

Examples

  • Did I just receive a compliment from Wild Knuckles?

    Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

  • When you actually receive a compliment, both you and the complimenter feel good.

    Blog text (13)

  • This may seem counterintuitive because, as you share this news with most people, you will usually receive a compliment like "Wow!"

    Blog text (22)

  • He smiled as if he'd received a compliment.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • When she heard kind words about her dress, she felt happy to receive a compliment from her friends.

  • It was surprising to receive a compliment from someone I admire so much.

  • After completing the project, he was thrilled to receive a compliment from his boss.

Synonyms

to praise
vsto receive a compliment
331 1.0

To tell a person that you admire or approve of them

is about being given that approval or admiration rather than expressing it
to applaud
vsto receive a compliment
136 3.2

To show praise in public for a person or idea

is about receiving public approval from others instead of showing it
to hail
vsto receive a compliment
  • Literature
131 4.1

To welcome or praise someone publicly and enthusiastically

is about being the person who receives that greeting or praise
to compliment
vsto receive a compliment
95 1.6

To say something nice about someone or their work

is about being given that approval or admiration by someone
to commend
vsto receive a compliment
67 4.4

To praise someone or something for good work

is about being on the receiving end of that formal approval
to acclaim
vsto receive a compliment
53 4.5

To praise someone in public with great excitement for their success

is about being given enthusiastic public approval rather than showing it
to laud
vsto receive a compliment
  • Formal
30 7.7

To praise someone publicly in a formal way

is about receiving formal public approval rather than giving it
to bask in praise
vsto receive a compliment
5.5

To enjoy compliments and attention from others

is about being given admiration rather than enjoying it oneself

Surface Forms

receive infinitive
received past
received past participle
receiving present participle
receives third person singular

Morphology

receive + a + compliment

The meaning 'to be given an expression of praise' is directly and compositionally derived from 'receive' (to be given) + 'compliment' (a brief expression of praise); a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE. The indefinite article 'a' is semantically neutral here and the structure is cross-linguistically common, supporting full transparency.

Etymology

Receive a compliment paints a simple picture: someone hands you a kind word like a small gift—receive means to take it and compliment is that kind word. That's why it means 'to be told something nice' or 'to be praised'.