comp
comp — verb
1. to provide a product or service to someone at no cost, often as a favour or a bu
to provide a product or service to someone at no cost, often as a favour or a business promotion — for example, a hotel comping a guest a meal or a casino comping a player a room.
The hotel manager comped Kofi a free dinner after the mix-up with his booking.
comp + someone + something
Beatriz loved the casino because they often comped her drinks while she played.
comp + someone with no object for the item
Small bakeries sometimes comp a free pastry to customers who leave a good review online.
Ravi asked the airline if they would comp him a seat upgrade for his long flight.
The comedy club comped Tomás and his friends because the show had started late.
- give away
less specific; does not imply a business or hospitality context
- charge
to ask for payment
文法句型
comp + someone + something
comp + someone
用法筆記
Common in hospitality and retail contexts. The person receiving the item is the object of the verb, while the free item can appear as a second object (comp someone something).
常見錯誤
2. to allow a person to use a service, attend an event, or take part in an activity
to allow a person to use a service, attend an event, or take part in an activity without charging them — for instance, waiving the entrance fee for a club or the cost of a meal.
The nightclub comped Noa and her group because they were celebrating her birthday.
comp + someone for an occasion
Leila's boss comped her for the weekend conference so she could gain new skills.
The golf course comped Yara for the afternoon round after the rain cut her game short.
Zane got comped for the spa treatment when the staff learned it was his wedding day.
文法句型
comp + someone
comp + someone + for + something
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (GIVE FREE): sense 1 gives a physical item or service; sense 2 waives the cost of an experience or activity (entry, attendance, participation).
3. to take part in prize competitions on a regular basis, especially those found in
to take part in prize competitions on a regular basis, especially those found in magazines, newspapers, or websites — for example, entering word puzzles or raffles to try to win prizes.
Aiko comps in at least three online contests every week and has won twelve prizes so far.
comp + in + contest
Diego started comping as a hobby and now runs a blog with tips for other competition fans.
gerund form: comping
Hana's grandmother used to comp all the time and once won a family trip to Paris.
Priya comps for fun but never spends money on entry fees or premium entries.
- enter competitions
more formal and explicit; 'comp' is the shortened form
文法句型
comp (as a verb on its own, no object)
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive. You comp in/for a competition, not comp a competition. This sense is most common in British English informal usage.
常見錯誤
comp — noun
1. a secondary school in the United Kingdom that accepts students of all ability le
a secondary school in the United Kingdom that accepts students of all ability levels, without entrance exams; the word 'comp' is an abbreviation of comprehensive school.
Theo started at the local comp last September and has already made lots of friends.
the + local comp
Mira's comp offers classes in music, art, and computer science.
possessive + comp
Many parents in the area prefer the comp over the nearby grammar school.
Yusuf says his comp has a great sports field and a new science lab.
- comprehensive school
the full, more formal term
- grammar school
a UK school that selects students by exam
文法句型
the + comp
a + comp
at + comp
用法筆記
Only used in British English. The full form 'comprehensive school' is less common in everyday speech. Not used for US public schools.
2. a contest where people try to win by showing a skill, answering questions, or co
a contest where people try to win by showing a skill, answering questions, or coming out on top; short for competition.
Olu entered a photography comp and won second place with a picture of a bridge.
enter + a + comp
Nadia's short story took first prize in the school writing comp.
writing + comp (noun-noun compound)
The baking comp on Saturday had over fifty amateur chefs taking part.
Greta won the dance comp three years in a row before she retired from the stage.
- contest
slightly more formal; interchangeable in most contexts
文法句型
a + comp
the + comp
enter + a + comp
用法筆記
Used across a wide range of contexts: talent shows, academic contests, online giveaways. Often combined with a preceding noun (dance comp, photo comp, cooking comp).
3. a ticket, meal, or other item that is given to someone at no charge, usually by
a ticket, meal, or other item that is given to someone at no charge, usually by a business as a courtesy or promotion; short for complimentary ticket/item.
Jin got two comps for the theatre show because his friend works backstage.
get + comps
The restaurant gave Wen a comp for dessert after she had to wait an hour for her table.
give + someone + a + comp
Bao used his comp to bring his sister to the concert without paying for an extra ticket.
Amara collected four comps from the hotel and treated her whole family to breakfast.
- complimentary ticket
the full, more formal term
- freebie
more general; can refer to any free item
- paid ticket
a ticket you buy
文法句型
a + comp
get + a + comp
give + someone + a + comp
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (comps). The item is typically a ticket or a meal provided by the venue or business itself, not a coupon from a third party.
常見錯誤
4. the total pay and benefits a person receives from their employer for doing a job
the total pay and benefits a person receives from their employer for doing a job, including salary, bonuses, health insurance, and other perks; short for compensation.
Imani negotiated a better comp package when she was offered the manager role.
comp + package
The company's comp plan includes stock options and a retirement fund.
comp + plan
Rohan compared the comp at three different firms before accepting the job in Tokyo.
Quinn left the job because the comp was too low for the number of hours required.
- remuneration
formal; used in official documents
- pay
simpler but narrower; does not include benefits
文法句型
comp + package
comp + plan
用法筆記
Common in HR and business contexts. 'Comp package' or 'comp plan' are the most frequent collocations. This sense refers to employee pay, not injury compensation.
常見錯誤
5. a product, service, or company that resembles another one and is used as a yards
a product, service, or company that resembles another one and is used as a yardstick for measuring performance, quality, or value; short for comparison.
The team looked at three comps before setting the price for their new phone.
look at + comps
Rashida used a competitor's latest laptop as a comp to evaluate her own design.
use + something + as a + comp
Real estate agents often check recent comps in the area before suggesting a sale price.
Dimitri found a direct comp for his software and used it to improve his features.
- benchmark
more formal; implies a standard of excellence
- comparable
the full adjective form often used in professional reports
文法句型
a + comp
as a + comp
用法筆記
Very common in real estate and business analysis. 'Comps' (plural) is often used to mean comparable properties or products used for valuation.
6. a set of final examinations taken by graduate students at North American univers
a set of final examinations taken by graduate students at North American universities to show they have mastered their subject area and related fields before earning a postgraduate degree; the word 'comp' is short for comprehensive examinations.
Lior spent six months studying for his comps in modern European history.
study for + comps
Ines passed her comps last spring and will begin writing her thesis this autumn.
pass + comps
The comps at that school cover both the main subject and two related fields.
Una felt nervous before her comps, but the questions turned out to be fair.
- comprehensive exams
the full, more formal term
文法句型
take + comps
pass + comps
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('comps'). Refers specifically to US/Canadian postgraduate comprehensive exams, not undergraduate finals or UK system exams.