Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having all necessary parts; whole; entire: "complete" describes something that has all its parts or elements, lacking nothing.
   • Finished; ended; concluded: "complete" indicates that an action or process has been brought to a final state.
   • Absolute; total; thorough: "complete" is used as an intensifier to mean absolute or without qualification.
   • Highly skilled; accomplished: "complete" can describe a person who is fully proficient or accomplished in a particular field.

2. Verb:

   • To finish making or doing; to bring to an end: "complete" means to finish a task, process, or object.
   • To make whole or perfect; to provide with all necessary parts: "complete" means to add what is missing to make something entire.
   • To fill in the required information on a form or document.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The library has a complete set of his novels.
  • The project is now complete and ready for review.
  • His silence was a complete surprise to everyone.
  • She is a complete professional in her field.

• Verb:

  • Please complete the assignment by Friday.
  • The new wing will complete the museum's collection.
  • Remember to complete all sections of the application form.

Advanced Usage

• "to complete with": to have as a feature or part.

  • The model comes complete with detailed instructions.

• "a complete and utter...": an emphatic phrase meaning absolute or total.

  • The plan was a complete and utter disaster.

• "the complete works of...": all the works produced by a particular author, composer, or artist.

  • I'm reading the complete works of Shakespeare.

Variants and Related Words

• Completion (n): the action or state of finishing or being finished.

  • We celebrated the completion of the building.

• Completely (adv): totally; entirely.

  • I completely agree with you.

• Incomplete (adj): not having all the necessary parts; not finished.

  • The data set is incomplete.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Entire, whole, total, finished, concluded, absolute, thorough, accomplished.
• Verb: Finish, conclude, finalize, accomplish, fulfill.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Complete against: (Less common) To compete with or rival.

  • Our team will complete against the champions next week.

• Complete for: (Less common) To compete for something.

  • Several companies are completing for the contract.

Related Idioms

• The complete package: Someone or something that has all the desirable qualities.

  • As a candidate, she is the complete package: smart, experienced, and personable.

• A complete stranger: Someone whom one does not know at all.

  • He was warned not to talk to complete strangers.

Adjective

1. having come or been brought to a conclusion
   • the harvesting was complete
   • the affair is over, ended, finished
   • the abruptly terminated interview
2. without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
   • an arrant fool
   • a complete coward
   • a consummate fool
   • a double-dyed villain
   • gross negligence
   • a perfect idiot
   • pure folly
   • what a sodding mess
   • stark staring mad
   • a thoroughgoing villain
   • utter nonsense
   • the unadulterated truth
3. highly skilled
   • an accomplished pianist
   • a complete musician
4. perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities
   • a complete gentleman
   • consummate happiness
   • a consummate performance
5. having every necessary or normal part or component or step
   • a complete meal
   • a complete wardrobe
   • a complete set of the Britannica
   • a complete set of china
   • a complete defeat
   • a complete accounting

Verb

1. write all the required information onto a form
   • fill out this questionnaire, please!
   • make out a form
2. complete a pass
3. complete or carry out
   • discharge one's duties
4. bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements
   • A child would complete the family
5. come or bring to a finish or an end; others finished in over 4 hours"
   • He finished the dishes
   • She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree
   • The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours