consume
Consume (verb) means to eat or drink something. Example: “Adults should consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.”
How to use consume
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo eat, use up, or be completely absorbed by something.
Word forms
consumed past tense, consumes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Adults should _____ less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
Etymology
From Old French consumer, from Latin consumere, "to use up," from con- ("with, together") + sumere ("to take").
Related words
Rhymes for consume
See all rhymes for consume →Frequently asked questions
What does “consume” mean?
The word “consume” means to eat or drink something. In plain terms, to eat, use up, or be completely absorbed by something.
How do you pronounce “consume”?
“Consume” is pronounced kuhn-SYOOM (/kənˈsum/ in IPA).
How do you use “consume” in a sentence?
Here is “consume” used in a sentence: “Adults should consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.”
What part of speech is “consume”?
“Consume” is a verb.
Where does the word “consume” come from?
The word “consume” comes from Latin. From Old French consumer, from Latin consumere, "to use up," from con- ("with, together") + sumere ("to take").
Is “consume” a common word?
“Consume” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “consume” have?
“Consume” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to eat or drink something.
What is the difference between consume and eat?
Eat refers specifically to taking in food. Consume is broader and more formal: it can mean to eat or to drink, but it also means to use something up or to destroy it entirely.
What is the difference between consume and use?
Use means to employ something for a purpose, and the thing may still remain afterwards. Consume implies using something up so that it is reduced or gone, as in consuming fuel, time, or energy.
How is 'consumed by' used to describe emotions?
When someone is described as 'consumed by' an emotion such as guilt, jealousy, or grief, it means the feeling occupies their attention and emotions completely. It suggests being so overwhelmed that little else matters.
What is the difference between consume and devour?
Both can mean to eat, but devour suggests eating quickly and hungrily. Consume is more neutral and formal, and it also carries meanings of using up or destroying that devour does not.