complement

KOM-pluh-muhnt

meaning in plain English

A part of your body’s fluids that helps your immune system fight off germs by breaking them apart.

Think complement as blood’s tiny cleaners, breaking germs apart like soap bubbles popping.

for example

When the doctor said my complement levels were low, she meant my body’s germ-fighting helpers weren’t working as well as they should.

Think of complement like the backup singers in a band—they don’t carry the whole show, but without them the main act wouldn’t sound as good. If your complement isn’t doing its job, germs can slip past your defenses more easily.