English Reference
noun · adjective · verb

composite

n. · adj. · v.
US /kɑmˈpɑzət/ UK /kˈɒmpəsˌɪt/ com·pos·ite UK spelling composited, composites

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.something that is made of several different parts or materials put together.

    n.a thing made up of several parts or elements; a compound or complex whole.

    Simple

    The final report was a composite of several different studies.

    In context

    The character in the novel is a composite of several real-life figures the author met during his travels in Europe.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    n.a strong material made by mixing two or more different substances, like plastic and carbon fibre.

    n.a structural material made of two or more constituent substances with significantly different physical or chemical properties.

    Simple

    The new airplane wings are made from a lightweight composite.

    In context

    Engineers preferred the carbon-fibre composite for the chassis due to its superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to traditional aluminium alloys.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a single picture made by putting together parts of different photographs or drawings.

    n.a drawing or photograph created by combining several separate images or elements into one.

    Simple

    The police created a composite of the suspect based on what the witness saw.

    In context

    The artist produced a digital composite that seamlessly blended urban landscapes with surrealist natural elements.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.made of many different parts or materials.

    adj.made up of various parts or elements; compound in nature.

    Simple

    The building has a composite structure of steel and concrete.

    In context

    The researcher presented a composite score that accounted for both the speed and accuracy of the participants.

  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical Math

    adj.describing a number that can be divided by numbers other than itself and one.

    adj.relating to a positive integer that has at least one divisor other than one and itself.

    Simple

    The number four is the smallest composite number.

    In context

    Students were asked to identify all composite integers between fifty and one hundred during the algebra quiz.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency TechnicalFormal Architecture

    adj.a style of building that mixes two older styles, the Ionic and the Corinthian.

    adj.relating to a classical order of architecture that combines the volutes of the Ionic with the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian.

    Simple

    The ancient temple featured tall composite columns.

    In context

    The Renaissance architect favoured the Composite order for the palace facade to convey a sense of ornate grandeur.

  7. 07 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    v.to put different images together to make one new picture.

    v.to combine two or more separate images or elements into a single unified visual.

    Simple

    The editor had to composite the actor into the background scene.

    In context

    Modern visual effects software allows artists to composite hundreds of layers into a single photorealistic frame.

Usage composite measure · composite score

Heat can cause many products to expand, including the form of plastic that makes up uPVC and parts of composite doors.

The Guardian· 21 Aug 2026

The facility will house a new autoclave, effectively an industrial pressure-cooker which is used in the manufacturing of the composite wings.

BBC News· 19 Aug 2026

Borrowed from Middle French composite, from Latin compositus, past participle of compōnō (“put together”). Doublet of compost, compote, and kompot.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin compositus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated