complete
kuhm-PLEET
Complete (verb) means to finish something so that nothing more remains to be done. Example: “She completed the marathon in just under four hours.”
verb
1
To finish something so that nothing more remains to be done.
"She completed the marathon in just under four hours."
"He completed the application form and submitted it online."
"Once the builders complete the roof, we can finally move into the house."
adj
1
Having every part; with nothing missing.
"The set of encyclopedias is complete, all twenty volumes."
"Is the jigsaw complete, or are some of the pieces still missing?"
"He showed us a complete list of the guests invited to the party."
2
Total or absolute, used for emphasis.
"The renovation was a complete disaster from start to finish."
"I felt a complete fool when I realised I had walked into the wrong room."
"The news came as a complete surprise to everyone in the office."
How to use complete
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFinished, whole, or total — with nothing left out or unfinished.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
complete a task
complete set
utterly complete
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Word forms
- Plural
- completes
- Third person singular
- completes
- Past tense
- completed
- Comparative
- more complete, completer
- Superlative
- most complete, completest
- Archaic forms
- completest, completedst, completeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the marathon in just under four hours.
Etymology
From Latin completus, past participle of complere, "to fill up" — from com- plus plere ("to fill"), the same root as "replete" and "deplete."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for complete
See all rhymes for complete →Frequently asked questions
What does “complete” mean?
The word “complete” means to finish something so that nothing more remains to be done. In plain terms, finished, whole, or total — with nothing left out or unfinished.
How do you pronounce “complete”?
“Complete” is pronounced kuhm-PLEET (/kəmˈpliːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “complete” in a sentence?
Here is “complete” used in a sentence: “She completed the marathon in just under four hours.”
What is the opposite of “complete”?
The opposite of “complete” — its antonyms — is incomplete.
What part of speech is “complete”?
Depending on how it is used, “complete” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “complete” come from?
The word “complete” comes from Latin. From Latin completus, past participle of complere, "to fill up" — from com- plus plere ("to fill"), the same root as "replete" and "deplete.".
Is “complete” a common word?
“Complete” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “complete” have?
“Complete” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to finish something so that nothing more remains to be done.
What is the difference between complete and finish?
The two are very close and often interchangeable. Complete suggests bringing something to its full, intended state — filling in every part. Finish simply means reaching the end. You complete a form by filling every field, but you finish a meal by eating the last of it; complete stresses wholeness, finish stresses the endpoint.
Can 'complete' be both a verb and an adjective?
Yes. As a verb, to complete means to finish something fully, as in "complete the report." As an adjective, complete means whole or entire, as in "a complete set." The two senses are closely related — both centre on the idea of nothing being missing or left undone.
What is the opposite of complete?
As a verb, the opposite of complete is to leave unfinished, abandon, or merely begin. As an adjective, incomplete or partial is the natural contrast. Something completed has nothing more to be done, whereas its opposite still has parts missing or tasks outstanding.
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