# complete

/kəmˈpɫit/ (US) · /kəmplˈiːt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/complete
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to finish

verb · CEFR A1

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

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

- You must complete the application form before the deadline on Friday.
- The construction crew worked double shifts to complete the bridge before the onset of the monsoon season.

### 2. to make whole

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- This beautiful painting will complete my art collection.
- The addition of the final witness testimony served to complete the prosecution's case against the defendant.

### 3. with all parts

adjective · CEFR A2

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

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

- The set is now complete because I found the last missing book.
- A complete list of all registered voters was provided to the observers to ensure the election's transparency.

### 4. finished

adjective · CEFR A2

totally finished or ended.

For teachers: having come to an end; concluded.

- My homework is finally complete, so I can go outside and play.
- Once the restoration was complete, the cathedral was reopened to the public for the first time in a decade.

### 5. total or absolute

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- The whole surprise party was a complete disaster because he arrived early.
- The project was a complete failure, resulting in a significant loss of capital for the primary investors.

### 6. mathematical/logical

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The professor explained why this specific set of numbers is considered complete.
- In mathematical logic, a formal system is called complete if every statement that is true under its rules can be proven within that system.

## Examples

- Please complete the form and sign your name at the bottom.
- The construction crew expects to complete the new bridge by the end of the month if the weather stays clear.
- While the initial research phase is finished, the team must still complete the final report before the board will approve the next stage of funding.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.