completely
kuhm-PLEET-lee
Completely (adv) means Totally or fully, with nothing left out. Example: “The storm completely destroyed the old wooden shed at the end of the garden.”
adv
1
Totally or fully, with nothing left out.
"The storm completely destroyed the old wooden shed at the end of the garden."
"The room was completely empty when they arrived."
"She completely changed her mind after hearing the new evidence."
How to use completely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFully or entirely — used to stress that something is total, not partial.
Common pairings
completely different
completely wrong
completely forgot
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more completely
- Superlative
- most completely
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The storm _____ destroyed the old wooden shed at the end of the garden.
Etymology
From complete plus the adverb ending -ly.
Synonyms
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totally
fully
utterly
thoroughly
absolutely
all-out
tout à fait
all the way
blind
altogether
at large
at length
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for completely
See all rhymes for completely →Frequently asked questions
What does “completely” mean?
The word “completely” means totally or fully, with nothing left out. In plain terms, fully or entirely — used to stress that something is total, not partial.
How do you pronounce “completely”?
“Completely” is pronounced kuhm-PLEET-lee (/kəmˈpliːtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “completely” in a sentence?
Here is “completely” used in a sentence: “The room was completely empty when they arrived.”
What is another word for “completely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “completely” include absolutely, all-out, tout à fait, all the way, blind and altogether.
What is the opposite of “completely”?
The opposite of “completely” — its antonyms — are after a fashion, barely, half-assedly, hardly and in a sense.
What part of speech is “completely”?
“Completely” is an adverb.
Is “completely” a common word?
“Completely” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between completely and totally?
The two are almost identical and usually interchangeable, both meaning 'fully, with nothing left out.' Completely can sound a little more formal or precise, while totally is more casual and, in speech, is often used for emphasis, as in 'totally agree' or 'totally worth it.'
What is the opposite of completely?
The main opposites are partly, partially, and incompletely. Where completely means fully and entirely, these words indicate that only some of something is done or true. At the far end of the scale, 'slightly' and 'barely' also stand in clear contrast to completely.
Is completely a strong word?
Yes. Completely is an absolute intensifier, meaning to the fullest possible degree with nothing missing. Because it already implies one hundred percent, 'almost completely' deliberately softens it, while pairing it up as 'completely and utterly' piles on extra emphasis for effect.
What is an example of completely in a sentence?
'The building was completely destroyed.' 'I completely understand.' 'She was completely honest with him.' In each case, completely stresses that the action or quality is total — nothing is held back, missing, or left out. It strengthens whatever word it modifies.
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