ENGLISH
REFERENCE

complete

v. · adj.
US //kəmˈpɫit// UK //kəmplˈiːt// com·plete
  1. 1 to finish (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to finish doing something or to reach the end of a task.

    to bring a task, project, or process to its conclusion. Transitive in most contexts, though it can appear without an object in specific instructions.

    Example

    You must complete the application form before the deadline on Friday.

    Example

    The construction crew worked double shifts to complete the bridge before the onset of the monsoon season.
  2. 2 to make whole (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to provide the last part that is needed to make something whole.

    to make something whole or perfect by providing a missing element.

    Example

    This beautiful painting will complete my art collection.

    Example

    The addition of the final witness testimony served to complete the prosecution's case against the defendant.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 with all parts (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    having all the parts or pieces that are needed; not missing anything.

    having all necessary or appropriate parts; entire and lacking nothing.

    Example

    The set is now complete because I found the last missing book.

    Example

    A complete list of all registered voters was provided to the observers to ensure the election's transparency.
  2. 4 finished (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    totally finished or ended.

    having come to an end; concluded.

    Example

    My homework is finally complete, so I can go outside and play.

    Example

    Once the restoration was complete, the cathedral was reopened to the public for the first time in a decade.
  3. 5 total or absolute (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    you use this to emphasize that something is total or absolute.

    used as an intensifier to emphasize the total or absolute nature of a quality, often a negative one.

    Example

    The whole surprise party was a complete disaster because he arrived early.

    Example

    The project was a complete failure, resulting in a significant loss of capital for the primary investors.
  4. 6 mathematical/logical (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    a technical way to describe a system where every problem can be solved or every sequence has a limit.

    describing a system in which every semantically valid formula is provable, or a space where every Cauchy sequence converges.

    Example

    The professor explained why this specific set of numbers is considered complete.

    Example

    In mathematical logic, a formal system is called complete if every statement that is true under its rules can be proven within that system.

Origin

From Middle English compleet (“full, complete”), borrowed from Old French complet or Latin completus, past participle of compleō (“I fill up, I complete”) (whence also complement, compliment), from com- + pleō (“I fill, I fulfill”) (whence also deplete, replete, plenty), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- (“to fill”) (English full).

Word family
Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference