ENGLISH
REFERENCE

incomplete

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˌɪnkəmˈpɫit// UK //ɪnkəmplˈiːt// in·com·plete

adj. not finished or missing some parts. You use this when something is not whole or lacks the information it needs.

adj. lacking a necessary part, element, or step; not brought to a conclusion or state of entirety.


SIMPLE

The puzzle is incomplete because two pieces are missing.

CONTEXTUAL

I cannot grade your essay yet because the bibliography is incomplete and missing several sources.

COMPLEX

The archaeological record remains incomplete, as centuries of erosion and human interference have destroyed many of the artifacts required to reconstruct the ancient civilization's daily life.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English incomplete, incompleet, from Late Latin incomplētus, from in- (“un-; not”) + complētus (“complete”), equivalent to in- (“not”) + complete.

Usage

Often functions as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'remain', but can also modify nouns directly.

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