English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

consuming

adj. · v. · n.
US /kənˈsumɪŋ/ UK /kənsˈuːmɪŋ/ con·sum·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.taking up all of your time, energy, or interest.

    adj.occupying one's full attention or interest; often used to describe intense passions or demanding tasks.

    Simple

    His passion for chess became a consuming hobby that took up every weekend.

    In context

    The project became an all-consuming endeavour, requiring the team to sacrifice their personal time for several months to meet the deadline.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.the act of eating, drinking, or using up a resource.

    v.the present participle of 'consume', referring to the ingestion of food or the depletion of resources.

    Simple

    The car is consuming too much fuel on long trips.

    In context

    By consuming vast quantities of raw materials, the factory managed to double its output within a single fiscal quarter.

    eatingusingdepleting
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Academic

    n.the process of using something or the amount used.

    n.the gerund form used to denote the process or act of consumption.

    Simple

    The consuming of natural resources must be managed carefully for the future.

    In context

    The rapid consuming of digital content has fundamentally altered how traditional media companies approach their distribution strategies.

Shafaq News, citing a local source, reported that 34 petrol tankers and four gas-oil tankers were destroyed, with the fire consuming more than 3 million litres of fuel.

Al Jazeera· 18 Aug 2026

Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, grew to its current size in part by consuming smaller galaxies.

Phys.org· 17 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated